Men's Week opens today at Greenbelt 5

Ladies, step aside. The other sex is taking the lead during Men’s Week.

More than 20 local designers are part of the series of shows, set to take place all over Manila and parts of the Philippines like Cebu and Davao, and not all of them are known for menswear.

“My intention was to challenge famous designers like Jojie Lloren, Ivarluski Aseron, etc. who specialize in womenswear to come up with menswear and we mixed them with known men’s designers like Randy Ortiz to see what they can come up with,” says show director and organizer Ariel Lozada. “Globally, more and more women’s shoe and bag makers are venturing into men’s accessories as well so we thought it’s high time we focus on them and add power to men’s posts.”

Together with PR king Keren Pascual and stylist Noel Manapat, Lozada is setting the stage for a new phase in fashion.

Just one of the guys: Joey Samson, inspired by marionettes for his collection, promises layered textured looks.

“We’ve always been fascinated by designers with unique visions, and have always imagined how they would translate it for us men,” Noel Manapat observes. “Like how would Cary Santiago do his fabric technique on a jacket? How would Sassa Jimenez translate her colors and patterns for men? How does Kermit Tesoro view men? How Jojie or Ivar’s architectural aesthetic can be made for men or Cinco’s embellishments re-imagined for men?”

Juxtaposed against the work of womenswear designers are popular figures in the menswear world.

“These menswear points of view, combined with the menswear designers like Joey Samson, Randy Ortiz, Gian Romano, Bang Pineda, M Barretto, is an exciting forum of ideas of what’s next in menswear,” Manapat adds.

Opening the series at Greenbelt Fashion Walk is the trio comprised of Randy Ortiz, Joey Samson and Sassa Jimenez.

Jimenez, a neophyte in the menswear department, is known for her princess gowns as seen in her summer collection, filled with wasp-waisted gowns dominated by full skirts.

“It’s my first menswear collection,” Jimenez tells YStyle, “so the attempt itself is probably the newest thing you’ll see from me.”

Jimenez will be working with loose silhouettes in linen, cotton and canvas. “Everything is made to be an easy-fit,” she says of a collection defined by folded pants, shorts and linen shirts. 

Dude looks like a lady: Sassa Jimenez, known for her princess-y frocks (right), will be debuting her first menswear collection at Men’s Week.

“It’s my spin on tropical streetwear,” she points out. “Everything looks very casual and carefree.”

Culling from the themes of summer, Randy Ortiz is focused on flora and fauna. “It’s about bold menswear in full bloom,” he declares, “a mix of textures and patterns in vivid colors and neutral tones.” What should people expect? “New shapes and proportions, soft tailored jackets, low-crotched trousers in non-traditional patterns.”

Joey Samson will be presenting a conceptual collection, dubbed “The Story of a Marionette.” “The concept was taken from the idea on how a marionette functions,” Samson explains. “Most of the pieces are paneled or segmented then hand-stitched to create a top, bottom or jacket. Everything in between — whether a color, print, texture or pattern — adds to the story.”

Working with an interplay of textures, like lace over glen plaid, floral with hand-painted strokes, bandanas/scarves, hand embroidery on checks, floral paisley and checks and stripes, Samson is telling a story in multiple layers.

Today, you — the reader — will be able to take part in the telling. Watch all three designers as they present the latest in menswear tonight at the Fashion Walk of Greenbelt 5, at 6 pm.

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According to Ayala, the visit of Hollywood star Paul Wesley to Ayala Malls will not push through.