FASHION REVIEW: The Cebu Runway in 2016

There’s a saying: “The rules of fashion exist to be redefined.” And so as Cebu is refreshing its chiffoniers for 2017, perhaps a revisit to some noteworthy runway events in the past year is in order. 

[INSET Ms. Cebu SET HERE]

The Miss Cebu 2016 Coronation Night

January 13, Grand Pacific Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

Aside from the year’s Miss Cebu herself, the creations of Cebu’s top couturiers were the stars of the Miss Cebu 2016 Coronation Night.

Feminine adaptations of the Barong Tagalog, hablon-tailored fineries and eveningwear ensembles rendered in shades of burnt umber and sepia were showcased during the three main segments of the pageant – indicative of how forward-thinking Cebuano designers are.

[INSET Mugna SET HERE]

Mugnâ: A Showcase of South Sea Pearls and Radiant Couture

April 1, The Lobby Lounge, Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort & Spa

In “Mugnâ: A Showcase of South Sea Pearls and Radiant Couture”, Cebu didn’t only witness the in-season creations of Mia Arcenas, Metro Manila’s Rhett Eala and the Spring/Summer 2016 collection of  the Jewelmer Joaillerie brand.

The fashion presentation also pervaded how dynamic fashion ensembles can be made more enthralling with keenly-curated accessories.

[INSET Natori SET HERE]

Natori Spring/Summer 2016

April 20, Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu

Zesty details molded by nonpareil cuts and sheens mainlined a marquee fashion presentation that served as the highlight of the Cebu launch of the “Natori”, “Josie Natori” and “N Natori” labels.

Crafted by globally renowned New York-based Filipino designer Josie Natori, the occasion gave tactile breadth to Natori’s “wearable art” ideal; infusing oriental painting themes into form-flattering ensembles.

[INSET StyleOrGlit SET HERE]

Style Origin 2016 and Glitterati 6: Life in Technicolor

It’s long been said that a sharp sense of style cannot be bought, as it is an expression of individuality that repels conformity without snubbing established mores.

In “Style Origin 2016” (held on July 23 in the The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu) and in “Glitterati 6: Life in Technicolor” (held on August 18 in The Northwing Atrium of SM City Cebu), Cebu got a heady dose of the wisdom that’s made implicit in the aforementioned locution – given that the two fashion presentations had local personalities model collections by various fast fashion labels; styled to fit with their individual stylistic quirks.

[INSET Laced SET HERE]

Laced in Love

October 24, Jimei Room, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

“Laced in Love” was more than a run-off-the-mill wedding night-themed lingerie fashion show – rhapsodizing that creative collaborations are not necessarily as restricting as many believe.

Presenting the in-season collections of the Victoria’s Secret brand and designs by Cebu’s Valerie Alvez, the occasion did well in showing how a Cebu-based designer can work with the collections of a globally established brand; harping on how versatile Cebuano talents are.

[INSET La Relance SET HERE]

La Relance

October 28, Grand Pacific Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

Mainlined by the in-season bridalwear collections of 18 of Cebu’s and the country’s top designers, “La Relance” was one of the best – if not the best – runway show in Cebu for 2016.

Bespectacled by designs that didn’t strictly hark on the edgy contact sheets of the 90s, the bombastic vibe of the 80s nor the constrained thematic nuances of the 70s, all of “La Relance’s” showcased designs spoke of the ambivalence of “now” – rendered as non-era specific attirements that would still hold stylish ground when viewed in wedding albums in 5 or 10 years’ time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAPTIONS TABLE:

MsCebu Set:

File: MsCebu 01->            Gabriele Raine Baljak in an eveningwear gown by Dino Lloren. Baljak bagged the Miss Cebu’s “Best in Evening Gown” award.

File: MsCebu 02->            Bea Clarisse Raboy wearing a gown by Jun Escario, which won the Miss Cebu’s “Best Evening Gown Designer” award.

File: Ms Cebu 03->           Shaila Mae Rebortera wearing a Barong Tagalog-inspired design by Brian Aloquin

File: Ms Cebu 04 and 05->            Francheska Marie Mamac wearing an eveningwear gown by Wendell Quisido and a hablon-tailored gown by Hadji Godinez

Mugna Set:

Files: Mugna 01 to 02-> Mia Arcenas designs, complemented with pearls by Jewelmer Joaillerie

Files: Mugna 03 to 04-> Rhett Eala designs, complemented with pearls by Jewelmer Joaillerie

Natori Set:

Files: Natori 01 and 02->                The Summer 2016 Collection of the “Natori”, “Josie Natori” and “N Natori” labels

Style Origin and Glitterati Set:

Files: StyleOrGlit 01 and 02-> Cebuano personalities sashayed down the “Glitterati 6: Life in Technicolor” runway, wearing pieces by the mall’s favorite fast-fashion brands

Laced Set:

Files: Laced 01->               Designs by Cebu’s Valerie Alvez, complemented with the in-season collection of Victoria’s Secret.

File: Laced 05->                 Valerie Alvez (center), flanked by models wearing her designs

La Relance Set:

File: La Relance 01->                       Design by Cary Santiago

File: La Relance 02->                       Design by Albert Andrada

File: La Relance 03->                       Design by Edwin Ao

File: La Relance 04->                       Design by Francis Libiran

File: La Relance 05->                       Design by Philip Rodriguez