Cebu Haute Couture at the resort

CEBU, Philippines - Designs that were distinctly characteristic of Cebu's vibrant culture headlined the main "Mugnâ" fashion show of Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa last month.

Formally titled "Mugnâ: A Stylish Narration of Cebu's Vibrant Culture," the Lobby Lounge of the seaside resort was transformed into the "Fashion Lounge" on April 9 - setting the stage for a presentation of creations by Cebu's Arcy Gayatin and Philip Rodriguez.

Gayatin, working with white as her template hue, presented pieces that bore allusions to raffia dress themes - with no exaggerated frills. Each piece was rendered with a balance of intricate embroideries, patterns and flowy fabrics that resulted in flouncy showstopper looks.

Rodriguez, for his part, worked with prints and textures that accentuated contemporary renditions of Asian and classic Filipino styles - tailoring earth tones, printed images of old Cebu and Rodriguez's keen eye for detail into ensembles that are ambivalently stripped-down and intricate enough to be head-turners by their own accord.

Though the luxe loungewear and eveningwear pieces in the event bore their respective designers' signature styles, overall the fashion presentation had an endearing quality that merged modernist avant garde with contemporary design slants.

This aspect of the third "Mugnâ" fashion show flowed in congruence with the fashion series' thrust in promoting the best of Cebu - as it zeroed in on how Gayatin and Rodriguez - two of the metro's highly sought-after designers - mold standout design directives that highlight Cebu's vibrant cultural markers. (FREEMAN)