CROSSCULTURALCHIC

Designers Philip Rodriguez and Felix Yu of the Fashion Council of Cebu showcased the three centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines with their Spanish and Filipiniana inspired collection during the recently staged United Nations World Tourism Organization show at the plush atrium of the SM City Northwing.

The two designers showcased their collection with perfect panache that crescendoed to a fabulous finale that was met with a thunderous applause from Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, SM’s Marissa Fernan and the delegates from 60 countries.

Like history, style and design repeats itself and so the patterns and shapes of the previous century are back in vogue. Philip Rodriguez’ Iberian inspired collection was a merry mix of antiquity and modernity. Models looked as though they had traveled back in time with matador style pantsuits, flamenco dresses resplendent with lush fringes and generous ruffles, dapper señores in exquisite shirts and one particularly dolled up señorita in full Hispañola regalia complete with a painita and crimson lips!

The Cebu lace took center stage as maestro Felix Yu indulged in creativity. The elegant ladies in their body hugging ternos dazzled everyone as they emphasized the cut of the disc-like sleeves adorned with floralia appliqués that cascaded throughout the bodice. Hard to miss were tortoise shell painitas encrusted with sparkling gems and the tambourine-neckpieces that completed the very distinctive line of Felix Yu.

 Bravissimo!