Pre-holiday Perfection

CEBU, Philippines – With the Christmas countdown ticking like a bomb of exploding de rigueur luxe items, countless designers are talking escapism in their collection. But for Philip Rodriguez, dreamy flights of fancy are actually his stock-in-trade. Moments after the highly celebrated Gear and Glam - Circle of Ten car and fashion show that rocked Cebu, an ecstatic Rodriguez (one of the featured designers from Fashion Council Cebu) unleashed more reasons and options to celebrate the coming holiday season, albeit a little too early.

Glam factor flowed, oohing and aahing, around the couture garbed statuesque model Alexia perched on balustrade laden verandah. "I wanted the whole thing to be like a fairy tale princess suddenly awakened by love's first kiss," explained the designer. "I wanted to have fantasy." The cocktail dresses, evening gowns and bridal looks ran the gamut of what our millennial Cinderellas and Snow Whites (also known as A-listers) might clamor to wear. On offer was Rodriguez's fail-safe classic uni-shouldered, pleated and ruffled tulle dress in blush; an elegant black gown with fringed skirt and a heavily appliquéd top that looked like they were dipped in sequins; his own version of the prin-cess bride belted with a ribbon bow; and the drama of a full-skirted pewter duchesse satin gown embroidered with roses, topped with a pleated bodice and a flowing train.

Balancing the seesaw of some dream-woven dresses that actually appeared to defy the laws of physics were two looks like the cloud of the softest silk chiffon in leop-ard print draped and layered, something that Rodriguez insisted he had years ago when no one else wanted it. (We checked: He's right.) And the scarlet one shouldered shift that had a triangular piece of fabric with aerodynamic function (alas it had none but it still looked tres chic). There was something quite striking about these fresh offerings from Philip Rodriguez shot on location in an Italian inspired palazzo. But, striking or not, I have a feeling they'll be hot items when most of these confections are packed up for their trip to the spacious closets of the ladies who usually turn up spectacular in any holiday or pre holiday soiree!

Bravissimo!