Lulu Tan Gan, Dennis Lustico, Cesar Gaupo and Joey Samson unveil Salon 2014 tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - As the country’s fashion scene clamors for the next big face in unveiling the next big show, four maverick designers decide to turn the tide and go back to basics. Stripping the usual flair and flamboyance off contemporary fashion, designers Lulu Tan-Gan, Dennis Lustico, Cesar Gaupo and Joey Samson merge heads and threads in reviving the salon tradition that built the foundations of the couture houses that we know today. In putting the attention back on the clothes, its impeccable craftsmanship, detailed handiwork, opulent fabrics and intriguing designs, Philippine fashion’s engaging foursome unveils Salon 2014, the definitive fashion showcase of the season’s finest couture creations.  

“Salon started out with me and Lulu (Tan-Gan) first,” explains Dennis Lustico, the draping genius behind the country’s most red carpet-worthy dresses. “Supposedly, Lulu was to unveil her own show, and she asked me if I could join her. Then I told her, it would be better if we could talk to other designers to make the show more interesting. So we called up Cesar (Gaupo) and he immediately said “yes.” During the first Salon, we also had Jojie (Lloren). But now, Jojie is busy preparing for a big show, so we talked to Joey (Samson) who fortunately said “yes” as well. Now, we are marking our second Salon show,” Lustico adds.

Salon 2014 aims to round up the quintessential Filipino look where Tan-Gan’s opulent knits meet Gaupo’s fantastical fineries, Samson’s cutting-edge tailoring collides with Lustico’s lush draperies.

“I was mesmerized by the book about the drawings of Kaye Nielsen, who was a very good illustrator way back then. It’s an old, old book. It’s an illustration telling the stories of the fairy-tales. I’ve kept that book since I was at the prime of my career, knowing that it would be a great inspiration in the future for me. So when I saw it again, I said to myself, it’s about time to do it, the fairy tale colors, the details. I was very happy to finally do it,” Gaupo offers a peek into his Salon inspiration, a fantasy showcase of fairy tales and pastel color-ways best done in his chosen soft textiles.

Lustico, on the other hand, turns to a different auteur in defining his season’s showcase. “I call the collection “Messing up with Georgia,” Georgia O’Keeffe, because I tried to channel her art into my collection. I used her palette, her silhouettes, and a bit of her details,” shares Lustico. Borrowing from O’Keeffe’s vibrant series of thriving botanicals, Lustico imagines an organic revelation to next spring/summer’s defining dresses — brimming with natural folds and palettes brimming with life.

These fresh, forward-thinking collections will be shown tomorrow, April 28, at the Fairmont Ballroom. Supporting this year’s Salon showcase are Smart Communications and Fairmont Hotel.