MANILA, Philippines - Minimalist shapes. Absolute colors. Exotic hints. A new aesthetic dynasty. Elegant. Sophisticated. Essential. For Gucci spring-summer 2013, a fusionof purism and sensual accents. Flashes of skin through artful cutouts. Patent accessories for a playful fetish. “These are portraits of aristocratic women,†explains creative director Frida Giannini. “Evoking a strong allure with a clean, precise, defined aesthetic. The inspiration started with Richard Avedon and Gian Paolo Barbieri’s historic photographs of their female icons.†The look includes tunic effects, high-neck blouses to wear with soft pants, mini dresses with a cocoon shape or super-long tapered dresses. Choker necklaces and trompe l’oeil, with coral and turquoise applications. A touch from the Orient in the prints: sea anemone from Japanese wallpaper for pajama-style outfits. The snake-style pattern, printed on tunics and pants, using fibers from Japanese paper. Organza mixed with embroidered tulle in a geometric net. From kimono style, imposing tiers on sleeves to redefine the lines of a column dress in shiny white. Cage sandals with ankles decorated by the horsebit. Shoulder bags alternate with clutches in plexiglass carved for precious gemstone patterns. In the Philippines, Gucci is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center and Rustan’s Tower Shangri-La Plaza Mall.