Fashion designers reveal Holiday 2017 forecasts at Philippine Fashion Week
Pieces from Jerome Salaya Ang’s “Glitch” PhFW/Released
MANILA, Philippines — The longest fashion presentation in the country unveiled its holiday forecasts over a two-day period at Discovery Primea in Makati City.
Here are some of the works of the featured designers.
Day 1
Jared Servano’s “A'nsif”
PhFW/Released
Inspired by the traditional hand-stitch embroidery of the B'laan tribe of Koronadal, South Cotabato, the silhouettes are coming from the tubular shape of the Gintlo skirt of the tribal community transformed into modern cuts and shapes.
“PhFW helps me a lot as a designer. In a way, I share what we have in our place---the tradition, our living art and the culture. I am letting people appreciate that Filipino craftsmanship by our artisans are not dead,” Servano said.
Mixy Dy’s “Ode to the Geode”
PhFW/Released
“The collection is inspired by agate geodes, or hard rock exterior with surprise centers, lined internally by various minerals, often crystals,” said the designer.
Like the rock that inspired her, Mixy worked through layer upon layer of experimentation, the printed textiles are her creations. Visually complex oil slick lies at the very core of this collection. The principle of the geodes also echoes with the distinctive mash-up of fabrics. Hard edged and smooth and glimmer, textural layers melding into a perfect contradiction that mimic those of the geode.
“This [Mixy Dy] girl. Is she enveloped in someone else’s arms? Or is it her simply relishing her own embrace? The digital artwork that’s in the fabrics in this collection is a hat’s off to women and their absolute power - which lies in the capacity to love, be loved, and ultimately, to love herself. This is further inspired by my fight song ‘It’s Amazing’ by Jem. ‘…Know who you are… feel it in your heart… it’s amazing all that you can do… it’s up to you.’
“There are loose and relaxed silhouettes but sometimes cinched at the waist. For fabrication, I used my own printed textiles, with different textures to echo inspiration such as fur, sequined boucle, tulle, fully sequined fabric; I also used smooth ones such as mikado silk and neoprene.
“I chose PhFW as a platform to showcase my debut collection because they are the pioneers in the business. Not to mention, the Espino brothers together with Tina Herrera were my mentors in fashion since day 1. I just discovered my love for fashion after watching Philippine Fashion Week when I was about to graduate from college and then Audie Espino convinced me to study fashion abroad and the rest is history.
“PhFW is not your regular fashion platform. They are very hands-on. Joey Espino helped me in every step of doing the collection. They make sure that you will shine in your own light.
“PhFW has helped me a lot to get my name out there and I now have more clients and orders. It also pushes its designers to be very global and business-minded.”
Jerome Salaya Ang’s “Glitch”
PhFW/Released
“The collection is about modern-day dressing following trends but there are just days that you don’t follow those trends at all. Dressing up a woman’s shape is ,you have to highlight the figure,” he said. “Participating in shows is one way of showing people that you are still relevant as a designer.”
Day 2
On the second day of presentations of PhFW Holiday 2017, some seasoned designers unleashed glam looks and couture creations for a luxurious Christmas mood.
Jeffrey Rogador’s “JR|XX Philippines”
PhFW/Released
“It is inspired by travelers, and key cities and provinces / places in the Philippines. I did basic staples and easy pieces for travelers such as shirts, pullovers and hoodies in cotton. Wash and wear clothes. Printed with the names of a city or a province in contrast or tone on tone ( black on black or white on white).
“It’s very important for a fashion designer, brand or label to have a platform or venue to showcase and present their collections at least twice a year. In this way fashion buyers, merchandisers, direct consumers and personal clients come to view and purchase pieces from the collection or even buy the whole collection for their respective stores.
“PhFW has been a very good venue and is beneficial for my designer label.The buyers and merchandisers view and check on the consistency of the designer's DNA from previous collections.They usually review how a designer's label evolves.They will be able to see how strong your designer name/label is.And being the first and longest fashion week venue in the Philippines, the credibility, system and guidance of PhFW with Sir Joey Espino is very good for me,” the designer said.
ESAC by Audie Espino
PhFW/Released
As a PhFW pillar, along with his brother Joey Jr., Audie has once again sent down a red-hot number on the runway. To contrast with the formal frock, he also sent down a hunky model in his trademark red trunks.
Jun-Jun Cambe’s “EtEreo”
PhFW/Released
“It’s Spanish for ethereal. The overall look illustrates the perfect contrast and fusion of the Jun-Jun Cambe woman, who is edgy, stylish and confident. These are classic designs with flowy fabrics and intricate beadworks, the marriage of the Old World and the contemporary seamlessly pulled off the Cambe way,” said Cambe.
Pat Santos’ “Golden Rule”
PhFW/Released
According to the designer, “The collection is about understanding and consideration and being selfless. There are plenty of variations that I showcased in my collection because I want to enhance different silhouettes and structures/ For the florals, I used gold laminated stretch nylon georgette, silky satinized lightweight georgette, embossed cabbage rose jacquard and thick nylon jersey.
“In the animal-prints portion, I used silky stretch velvet and cowhide. For the sheer dresse, I used metallic tulle, iridescent organza and stretch nylon soft tulle laminated with metallic gloss.”
Amir Sali’s “Genesis”
PhFW/Released
“I was inspired by the Garden of Eden before God created men. So I focused on the creations of God like the flora and fauna. They’re very inspiring. Before God placed man, He put beautiful things around us first,” he explained.
Sali studied at the Ecole Lesage, where he learned the secrets of broderie d’intérieur embroidery, and this mastery is evident in his astonishing creations. “I’ve been using different materials. In one dress alone, you can’t only see one or two components. It’s taken from different places. Each dress is carefully created, even the details. We made our own fabric. We did our own prints by computer and by hand.”
PhFW/Released
