SUMMER is for getting away from the city, and it’s always summer in our neck of the woods. Regatta got away from the urban grind recently by jettisoning the usual catwalk at the Holiday 2011 edition of Philippine Fashion Week (PFW) held recently at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia (MOA) complex. In lieu of a catwalk, Regatta raced its models up and down a boating dock instead.

If you love the summer clothes of Chuck Bass and Serena Van der Woodsen of Gossip Girl (specifically Episodes One and Two of Season Two), you’ll love the classic collections of Regatta, although the actor who plays Chuck Bass, Ed Westwick, was in town recently to mug for sister brand Penshoppe. But never mind the brazen intrigue of the Upper East Side; just head straight for the Hamptons, where life is more of a summer garden party—or rather a boat ride, a bicycle date, or a walk in the woods. And despite Regatta’s allusions to classic Americana, the clothes can still be worn as separates that may be combined to conjure an altogether not-too-American vibe.

Casting off all illusions of downtown dreariness (after all, MOA might as well be called a new downtown), Regatta festooned the boat dock-cum-catwalk with casting posts rigged with cordage. The only thing missing was the boat, although there were dreamboats everywhere. But take your eyes off the gorgeous models and look at the clothes.

The team of Regatta ramp dolls unveiled three new collections: the Holiday 2011, the Varsity and the British Countryside looks. For the Holiday 2011 collection, Regatta stayed true to its classic white tops and bottoms, with a few touches of heather gray and navy blue for a bit of color contrast. For texture, Holiday 2011 featured knits and cotton jersey pieces.  A blazer with T-shirt and shorts defined the brand’s relaxed refinement. Said Regatta brand manager Carlo Rufino: “The silhouettes are fluid and not too body-conscious.” Meanwhile, the brand proved that it can go beyond mere whites, grays and navy blues. Regatta showed a play of colors, patterns and layering tricks with the Varsity collection that harkens back to your collegiate period.

Hence, there was a bit of nostalgia and summer luvin’ for plaids, varsity stripes, hooded collars, windbreakers and sports jackets. The pieces also included details like contrast piping, double collars and grosgrain ribbons. Added Rufino: “The Varsity collection was inspired by the prep schools in Maine, and features layering of T-shirts and buttoned-downs with sweaters tied around the waist. Colors range from pastels and bright primaries in reference to classic sporting apparel.”

Regatta then boldly stepped away from the coast and made a foray into the British Countryside, the last of its three collections. Shown were plaids and florals layered with casual jackets and unstructured blazers in glenn plaid or houndstooth, in tones that went from rich browns to olives, tans to oranges, and several hints of masculine blue. “The use of outdoorsy details like rustic buttons and toggles adds to the character of the British Countryside collection,” said Rufino.

With these new collections, Regatta clearly shows that it is sailing steadily in the waters of its preppy tradition. After two changes in ownership and a multiplication of new store locations to number 24 throughout the Philippines, the brand has never flirted with bouts of identity crises. Each collection evokes comfortable leisure wear inspired by an Ivy League heritage and a privileged lifestyle.