Going gaga over fashion
“In difficult times, fashion is always outrageous” – Elsa Schiaparelli
This year’s Philippine Fashion Week (PFW) proved to be a larger-than-life designers’ extravaganza and judicious assemblage of some of the finest talent in Philippine fashion today. From ready-to-wear apparel to intricately designed couture, the eight-day fashion fete, with shows at the SMX Convention Center Function Room 4 and Mall of Asia, was laden with ingenuity and creative steel betrothed only to the pillars, disciples, and vanguards of the blossoming art of fashion.
For the Spring/Summer ’09 Collection, PFW teamed up with Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) and the Department of Agriculture to procure and proliferate the use of green and organic material — something that the Philippines has a great abundance of — and implored participants to follow suite with the event’s eco-chic theme. “The fashion community has often been one of the leading purveyors of social change, being both a creative and trend-setting force,” relates PFW producer and director Joey Espino. As such, the example set by PFW hopes to create a ripple effect on the country’s national environmental conscience and industry-wide commitment to the environment.
Highlights include Frederick Peralta’s solo show in celebration of his 25 years in the industry. Inspired by the mystique and femininity of weddings, his showcase proved to be an exquisite series of bridal gowns that were crafted to perfection. With the temptation to look mundane and traditional, Peralta pushed the limits with his precious detailing and fresh, experimental silhouettes that made for an engaging display, not to mention his use of celebrity power which included Angel Aquino, Marielle Rodriguez, Joyce Jimenez, Will Devaugn, and Assunta de Rossi.
Another standout was 21-year-old Sassa Jimenez ’s 45-piece Modern Feminine collection which received a standing ovation. Focusing on classic formalwear, her spunk and youth cashed in on the élan and unpredictability to what would otherwise have been a lackluster prom dressy show. From her Grecian draperies, asymmetrical use of ruffles to form-fitting silhouettes, there was an ethereal, goddess-like quality to her dresses that simultaneously read Dionysian and ready to paint the town red.
Other honorable mentions were Edwin Tan and Pepsi Herrera’s collection that blazoned an astute mix of neutral and neon, and sequin detail that brought a quirky element to his formal wear. Brian Leyva’s collection went avant-garde with his menswear in pairing suits with shorts, not to mention his bubble sleeves, and almost scale-like patterns as fabric. Enrico Carado went animalistic chic with his feather accents and his fine use of silk while Jerome Lorico’s plaid-wear was androgynous, engaging, and sexy. As for mainstream fashion, Penshoppe easily takes the cake with its holiday collection. With a youthful spirit infused through its signature street style, there was an edginess and out-of-the-box quality that radiated beyond its collection and re-imagined urban-chic for the campus habitué
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About the same time that Fashion Week showed at the SMX Convention Center, premier fashion retailer Cinderella capped its Designer’s Competition 2008 at the Manila Peninsula. In celebration of the brand’s 60 years of business and trade excellence in the retail fashion industry, Cinderella previously embarked on a countrywide quest to find a worthy young fashion designer who will be granted a one-year scholarship at the School of Fashion and Arts (SOFA) and a business contract with Cinderella Marketing Corporation.
From over a hundred entries, five designers made it to the finale, in which Nino Dominic Angeles bagged topnotch award with his unique and innovative collection. Drawing inspiration from the wagasa or the Japanese parasol, Angeles pieced together origami-like design architecture within modern silhouettes to capture the modern Filipina who is an enigma of conservative yet innovative personal style. Second place winner Joanne Lesaca’s collection played on color and contrast as evident in her classic silhouettes, and was an eclectic cross between Tahiti goddesses and Malibu Barbie. Bagging third place was Eugene Oliva with his fun and vibrant menswear collection. Other finalists were Brandon Parrenas and Abe Capio.
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