"Freedom: Fashion. Expressions."

CEBU, Philippines — The creations of nine up-and-coming designers top-billed a recent fashion show in Cebu that was probably a peek into what’s soon to come in the local haute couture scene.

Titled “Freedom: Fashion. Expressions.” and staged at the foyer of the Grand Pacific Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on July 4, the event featured street fashion styles in the US in the 1930s through the mid-2000s. It contextualized the styles of the past era with the current trends and bold future forecasts.

Collectively, the event’s featured pieces highlighted their respective designers’ approach in incorporating sweet details to conventional cuts and sheens.

The show was made even more interesting by having a mix of the metro’s top runway models, beauty pageant winners and fashion influencers ramp up the runway, effectively giving it a “you can rock in this” tone.

In infusing decade-specific details to leisure wear and eveningwear ensembles, the event’s presenting designers very well blended their individual stylistic marks with established design conventions, and thereby accentuated – not demarcated – their respective creative vibes.