THE Panasonic Manila Fashion Festival (PMFF) is currently the biggest series of fashion-related events in the country. It celebrated a milestone 10th season with the theme “Fashion Formation Decoded,” making an ambitious bid to be on a par with the fashion weeks in the biggest cities in the world.
There were more than 40 local and international designers and brands that were showcased at the Marquee Tent at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel earlier this April. Here are the 10 creations I deem as must-haves for Holiday 2019, as described by their respective designers.
PROTACIO EMPACES: For my “Cloudy Night Skies” collection, the story is about the changing hues of a cloudy evening sky that slowly transcend from dark grays and milky whites to shades of blushing clouds against the break-of-dawn skies. In the photo is my break-of-dawn number. Blushing clouds against gray skies signaling the coming of sunrise. This is perfect for cocktail parties.
PHILIP RODRIGUEZ: “Le Jardin” is inspired by a trip to the lavender fields of Provence, France. My piece is all made of tulle ideal for a garden or spring-themed reception or graduation ball. It’s very light, delicate, sweet and fragrant. The layers are electric-pleated and the bodice is hand-fluted.
PHILIPP TAMPUS: My collection is called “Vivace,” vibrant and luxurious, not just in color but also in fabric manipulation and texture. My piece is made of crimson red French scallop lace. Draping is my strength and I always celebrate a woman’s shape with a lot of soft boning on the torso. This gown can be worn by a modern woman to a red-carpet event or a gala night.
JUN ESCARIO: The collection started with one of Karl Lagerfeld’s quotes about the white shirt and it evolved from there: “If you ask me what I’d most like to have invented in fashion, I’d say the white shirt. For me, the shirt is the basis of everything. Everything else comes after.” My piece is a silk dress shirt paired with men’s cotton wool straight-cut pants with a separate sculptural organdy top and chiffon side tail.
JAZ CEREZO: I had an obsession with bows and ruffles while developing this collection, and I can’t think of a better title than “Return to Innocence.” My piece is a black off-shoulder gown in crepe with ruffle details along the neckline and sleeves that give a bit of a vintage-couture vibe. The skirt is column cut with a thigh-high slit. I’m imagining this being worn by a woman with a very strong character attending a black-tie event.
DARYL MAAT: My collection is called “Euphoria.” “Disco Fever” is a song by VST & Co that influenced this collection. It’s an upbeat song comparing dancing to love. Like the collection, it’s fun, it has texture, a lot of metallics, sequins, vinyl and suede. The blue suit set is in blue/gold reversible sequins. I wanted this to be androgynous but kept it a little bit feminine with the bra-let. The cuts of the design were meant to be elongated, like the pants’ length, suit length and the lapel. The Daryl Maat woman isn’t afraid to dress up. She always stands out wherever she goes.
CHERRY VERIC: “Homage” is my tribute to that part of me as a designer: artistry and beauty. The prints are classical scenes of the religious and mythological, reminding one of the works of the Old Masters like Rubens. My piece is made of printed gazar. I want people to feel heaven on Earth, to want to put art at the heart of beauty. I want them to think that they can own a wearable piece of celestial art.
BESSIE BESANA: My fall/winter collection is entitled “Concrete Jungle” and it depicts how I perceive women will walk on the streets of New York this fall. My piece as worn by Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar is a fluid metallic silver with side details. This woman is going to a benefit dinner or a gala night of some sort. She is bold, strong and unapologetic with her style.
BAMBA LIMON. My woman is going to an opening of an exhibit at an art gallery. The title and inspiration of my collection is “Royale Tale”. My inaul piece is a long-sleeved tunic in a poppy color with metallic sheen. It’s considered as Bara-Bangsa, a Maguindanaoan term that translates to royalty, dignity and nobility.
AVEL X MATTEO: Says Avel Bacudio, “Matteo is someone who has always had good taste. When he brought up his idea [of collaborating on a jeans line] with me, I did not think twice. Yes, I am the designer, but he was very hands-on and passionate about this project. This collection we created makes designer jeans accessible to a broader market. I can’t wait for everyone to see what Matteo and I worked on.”
Sportsman-actor Matteo Guidicelli, meanwhile, says: “I told him I was really eager to design a denim line with him. From the start, he really understood my vision. That’s why we were able to come up with designs that are exactly how I wanted them to be—sexy yet wearable at the same time. I’m very happy with how the jeans turned out. They’re very me.”