Filipino designer Ellis Co presents vision for 'future wear'

MANILA, Philippines — Fast-rising fashion designer Ellis Co will showcase his latest creations of high-fashion street wear for his label dot_Archives.

Simply dubbed "Phases/Faces," the Resort/Cruise collection will be launched on July 15 at the upscale Misibis Bay Resort in Albay's Cagraray Island.

In a sneak peek at the Presidential Lounge of the Midas Hotel, a fortnight before the highly-anticipated fashion event, Ellis Co and his team, together with creative director Reika Mayani, gave media attendees a foretaste of the design aesthetic for the collection.

"The DNA of the Archive brand is about the different people who have made an impact on us, positively or otherwise. The venue of the show, Misibis Bay, is a place of reflection and a very befitting venue for us to show gratitude to several people who have inspired us," intimated the young designer.

There will be 22 looks presented during the fashion show - with curated looks for 21 people, but with the 22nd look a reflection of the designer and his team.

"Bicol has always been my summer escape. I was stuck there during the pandemic and got to taste the best of everything. So this show also carries a spirit of nostalgia; of memories and moments in Bicolandia.

"Our design aesthetic sports a sharp look with dark colors. But, for the upcoming show, we experimented with cuts and there will be more white and beige pieces. Our designs for dot_Archive are more monochromatic but for the Misibis collection, it will be the complete opposite; in contrast to our usual black palette, which will much more likely fit the resort vibe," Ellis revealed.

"The dot_Archive person and/or profile is basically us, and our friends who, like us, love hip-hop and R&B music, as well as passionate creations and who are not afraid to wear what they like. Our 'weird' silhouette simply avoids traditional design. The dot_Archive label is what future wear is like. It is a new silhouette, something that has not been done, like our oversized pants, for example.

"Coming into every collection, I freely express my work without the boundaries of established norms. The emotions I feel at the time when the designs are made are translated to art through the cut in the fabric. My every work is art! Money is not the main consideration in my art. I'll still create clothes, five or ten years from now, no matter what financial position we are in," intoned Ellis, who also dabbles in making music.

The Misibis Capsule Collection also drew influences from Denis Villenueve's 2021 sci-fi movie "Dune" with the use of zippers. The designs simply look different when parts of it are unzipped from the apparel.

"And we used waterproof fabrics in our hooded jackets; in case it rains. Everybody can wear us, no matter what industry you work for or belong to. Future concept wear is something new for people like us coz we are the future. There is no language that defines it but on the design that tries to interpret that," remarked Ellis at the close of an intimate media luncheon.

Phases/Faces is the follow-up show to Co's collection last year, "Memoirs of the Future."