Trailblazing at the Fashion Week

Photos by Joey Server and Magic Liwanag

Count on Penshoppe to spruce up wardrobe staples. At the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week, the apparel company proved to be a trailblazer when it presented its latest collection.

Penshoppe’s Holiday 2011 collection upped the ante with basic clothing line, mostly in dark hues. Designer and stylist Raoul Ramirez, who put together the ensembles for the show, said, “We are highlighting the basics and reinterpreting classic silhouettes.”

Held at the SMX at the SM Mall of Asia, the Penshoppe show went for the rock ‘n roll vibe. Consistent with the brand’s appeal, its new jeans are embellished with grommets, studs and rivets while some of the shirts are sprinkled with glitters and sparkles.

Brand director Alex Mendoza is flanked by Penshoppe brand ambassadors (from left) Victor Basa, Solenn Heussaff, Bea Soriano and Mikael Daez.

The collection was comprised of dresses, jackets, skirts and slacks in shades of dusty gray, wicked black and buff beige. It used fabrics such as flat knit, jersey and cotton, interspersing form and function for various climates. Penshoppe brushed on a gothic fascination like leg-skimming bottoms in black, of course. For those keen on wearing brighter colors, color-blocking was an option with vivid tones of burgundy, mustard, turquoise and green. Ramirez added, “It’s all just a matter of how you dress up your basics.”

“The band My Chemical Romance pops to mind when you see the outfits,” noted Ramirez as the collection was shown in a 45-minute show with the Penshoppe endorsers Solenn Heussaff, Bea Soriano, Victor Basa and Mikael Daez. Mini-bottles of Piper Heidsick Champagne were served before and during the show.

After the show, hordes waited for the models to have their pictures taken. It was around this time when more mini-bottles were passed around for what became an impromptu after-party in the venue.

As the brand continues to churn fashion-forward apparel, Penshoppe following is getting bigger and bigger. Rock on!

Penshoppe’s VP for brand management Jasper Evangelista and VP for merchandising Alice Liu.