EVEN with the proliferation of cluster shows, Philippine Fashion Week remains the barometer. For its Holiday 2019, it found a new home at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. From June 11 to June 16, Runway Productions’ Audie Espino and Joey Espino Jr. , the brainchild behind the longest-running fashion presentations in the country, mounted an exhibit, bridal fair and shows.
Some of the standout collections are the following, in the designers’ own words:
• ANTHONY NOCOM: My collection are in the shades of blue and with an accent of red as a breaker. As I am known to do jackets, this collection has different types which every guy must have. The look is relaxed and contemporary—jackets are cut close to the body (as men work out these days) and no lining except for the velvet jacket for evening; unlined and no padding on shoulders for a natural look. Pants are high-waisted, pleated and “carrot”-shaped in houndstooth pattern on denim; pinstripe is stretch cotton; and neo-crepe (lightweight and soft crepe-textured) which is like jersey knit, wrinkle-free. Denim is used not as jeans or typical jean jacket; I gave them a new look as an overoat (unlined), peacoat and blazer.
• JUN-JUN CAMBE FOR ESAC: “Andros + Gyne” is an assortment of unisex ensembles. I highlighted individualism in Euro tailoring and Japanese kimono combination by mixing and matching. Fabrics I used by mixing and matching are linen, rayon, organdy, leather, mesh and cotton in this casual yet edgy line of apparel for the men’s collection. “Hollywood Glam” for my Cambe woman is in simple silhouettes, ruffled, cutouts and embellished in heavy lace with a 3D effect.
The base fabric for the body is in lamé and soft tulle.
• MIXY DY: My collection this season is very close to my heart since denim has been a fashion staple all my life. I wanted to make something more wearable that can be used in any occasion and show how many ways you can rock denim. The print I used at the back of my denim jackets is my exact forearm tattoo of a lineart that I drew myself in honor of my mom and my grandma and may also represent a lot of things anyone could relate to. Fabrication: almost denim all the way! I used different shades, weights and textures of denim. I also included an interesting checkered denim and a touch of tulle to break the monotony. I included a bedazzled Swarovski piece also just for being extra. You will see a variety of jacket shapes. I played with my signature wide pants and added exaggerated bell bottoms. Mainly a mix of oversized denims plus sleek, edgy sexy dresses. I really enjoyed doing this collection because it is really what my style DNA is all about.
• JEFFREY ROGADOR: My in-season Spring/Summer 2019 collection, now available at Lazada and Shopee, is a collaboration with Brgy 143, the first Filipino Japanese animé depicting the way of life of Filipinos in Tondo. Inspired by the well-loved Filipino sport of basketball, the 30 pieces are urban streetwear staples like T-shirts, hoodies, bomber jackets and shorts. Stylish wash-and-wear garments in black and white with hints of neon green. Fabrics in cotton, neoprene, denim, silk, mesh and wool. I also collaborated with Saucony shoes and The Electricianz watches.
• JEROME SALAYA ANG: “Unf#%kwhitable” is a state of mind where you don’t actually care about anything. The same can be said about fashion: now anything goes. So the collection is mostly a mishmash of styles and silhouettes from comfort to luxe. I used variations of overlaid tulles, laces and trims. There is also a fresh vibe to the color palette by mixing pastel tones, whites and some pinks and reds.
• ARNOLD GALANG: “Stained” was inspired by the current state of our society. It reflects on corrupt holiness and an uncertain tomorrow. The collection speaks of lightness and darkness, beauty and ugliness, and form and shapelessness. Extremes. In lightweight microfiber fabric and printed black and white jerseys, it has suede/vinyl printing details of paint strokes, paint blots and paint stains echoing the prints on the jerseys.
• AUDIE ESPINO FOR ESAC: My womenswear is a continuation of my Ascot series, formal dressing reminiscent of the English Ascot races.
Pieces you can mix and match and build on by starting with a dress, then later on you can add on a cape or blazer. The materials are gazar and Mikado, jusi for my barong Tagalog caftan, and organdy for my barong Tagalog blouses. I also did a stylized cattleya pattern embroidered on organdy appliqués with minimal beading.
We at PhFW have had the LGBTQI community as an integral part of our existence from Day 1 and this season our shows coincide with Pride Month. I paid tribute by walking down the runway at curtain call with a rainbow flag to demonstrate our inclusivity.
Here’s what my model, Rhonee Rojas, had to say: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would have the opportunity to celebrate Pride with my husband [Hồ Vĩnh Khoa] on an international fashion runway, let alone at Philippine Fashion Week. I am overwhelmed with mixed emotions of appreciation and happiness for the huge amount of love and support we received from everyone this weekend. I would like to send the biggest thank you to my one and only mudra, Audie Espino, for giving us this opportunity to spread nothing but our love to the world. Thank you for all that you do!”
Image credits: PHOTOS FROM WWW.PHILIPPINEFASHIONWEEKLIVE.COM