‘Artspeak’ at Ayala Center Cebu

As part of the holiday season extravaganza, Ayala Center Cebu presented “Artspeak 2013,” a celebration  of functional beauty and form.

 Born out of an interactive collaboration between 12 visual artists and 12 couturiers, the event brought the established modicums of fusion, creativity and beauty a notch higher, yielding to an elegant showcase of colorful cocktail dresses, form-flattering maxis and distinctive evening wear that were inspired by the diverse visual design principles of Cebu’s masters of art.

 â€œArtspeak 2013” showcased creations of Cebuano designers Barbie Alvez who utilized soft and textured jersey and duchess satin for her piece; Albert Arriba, a master in intricate beadwork; Myrna Cebrecus, best-known for her distinctive fabric construction; Ren Manabat, who enjoys the demands of made-to-order clothes; William Manahan, whose design is found in the outer lace box-type blouse embellished with beads and accented with a black belt, belts being the season’s trend; Protacio, proud of his new technique in quilting metallic bias gowns; Wendell Quisido  whose eye for colors is evident in each dress he designs; Yvonne Quisumbing  who relies on asymmetrical patterns to treat the viewers with pure sewing mastery; ageless Ditas Rodriguez has long-established herself as a designer of note; Philipp Tampus, a no-nonsense designer who can whip up chic gowns for a wedding entourage without batting an eyelash; and  Marichu Tan, whose forte is in dressing  up women in comfort and style.

 Cebu’s fashion doyen Rey Santos who found his way back home recently, after years of traveling the world, created hems and cuts that showed off the natural fabric composition. Sadly just a few days ago Santos succumbed to pneumonia.

 Cebu’s fashion designers shared the spotlight with the latest masterworks of visual artists Gabriel Abellana, Darby Vincent Alcoseba, Cesar Castillo, John Dinglasa, Fred Galan, Jorge Lao, Renulo Pauta, Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Celso Pepito, Lucilo Sagayno,  Javy Villacin and Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr.

 Presented by Ayala Center Cebu, in cooperation with Clothes for Life, “Artspeak” was chaired by  the  Freeman’s executive lifestyle editor Marlinda Tan  and  Clint Potestas assisted by  Janice Parreno and Janra Montilla of Ayala Center Cebu, and the artist’s liaison Ramon Taguchi.