Coming home to basics

CEBU, Philippines — Coming home often elicits a sense of appreciation of how much change has occurred in intervals of time, an occasion for reacquainting oneself with what one had departed from.

For three Cebuano fashion designers, a recently held fashion presentation elucidated the appeal of reunions and homecomings – a re-articulation of their communion and affinity with Cebu, their home place.

Titled “Fashion Homecoming,” the show was mainlined by the in-season creations of Yves Camingue, Harvey Cenit and Jian Lasala – three Cebuano designers who, in the past couple of years, have built a solid following outside of Cebu.

Staged at The Gallery of the Ayala Center Cebu last Friday, November 17, the fashion event was unique in the sense that it was a “silent fashion show” that had the audience wear wireless headphones for the audio part of the proceedings – an approach that was simply, in a word, novel.

Collectively, the pieces presented in the event harped on the striking ambivalence of the “now” of style, the constancy of the shifting of trends and the regularity of such change.

Top-billed by pieces that played with sutured lines, elements of draping and refreshed focalizations of the normcore bohemian trend, much of the show’s designs conveyed what could be achieved even within a minimalist scheme – particularly in its use as the make-or-break variable that accentuates, not demarcate, daring to be a bit playful with creative concepts from established themes.

Matched with zesty details, heady hued shades and voluminously flowy textiles, cross-culture motifs infused in leisurewear, eveningwear, casualwear and all else in between dominated the “Fashion Homecoming” runway.

All-in-all, the “silent fashion show” dwelt on what was, what is and what is to come with its designers. It was, effectively, a homecoming to the basics that accentuated progressive design with hardly a single needless note put forth. (FREEMAN)