DESPITE the disturbing trend of big global brands filing for bankruptcy, in what is known as the retail apocalypse, lifestyle behemoth Bench continues to be a local favorite.
Proof of its undying confidence in the Philippine market is its flagship store at Bonifacio Global City, which occupies prime real estate in the retail hub that is High Street. It also helps that there’s a Bench Café on the second floor, for when you get hungry and tired browsing through three floors of affordable clothing and accessories.
Also an effort to keep Bench and sister labels under Suyen Corp. (Kashieca, Vero Moda, Karen Millen, Human and American Eagle Outfitters) fresh, current and stylish is the staging of the biannual Bench Fashion Week, now on its third season. And what you see on the runway, you can immediately buy at the stores.
For Spring/Summer 2018, the three-day event at the Bench Tower was made more fashion-forward by the presence of designers Vania Romoff and Joey Samson and Bench Design Awardees Jaggy Glarino, RJ Santos and Jennifer Contreras.
Romoff, of the Cebu de buena familia fashion dynasty, served ladylike confections befitting her milieu. Samson further explored his androgynous streak in gender-fluid dresses and suits.
Glarino’s “Cuddles” collection was about graphic black and white street “sleepwear,” with model Kim Ross closing the segment in a “cloud dress” made of 40 yards of bias-cut cotton shirtings ruched together.
Santos’s “Randolf” brand took inspiration from the song “K” by American ambient pop band Cigarettes After Sex for his “Take Me To Prom” collection, using witty references to pop art and classical paintings. Contreras’ “pr()blem” brand had plaid and checks in abundance, “pretty in punk,” “cute but psycho” and slouchy ensembles for her “Aftrskool” thesis.
The Kashieca squad wore the brand’s must-haves: Carla Abellana in army-green coordinates, Kelsey Meritt in pinstripe rompers, Liza Soberano in a little black dress and Bea Alonzo in a shoulder-baring floral top.
At Bench, beauty queens and showbiz babies ruled the runway, traipsing like they were in a tropical paradise like Siargao or Palawan. Reigning Reina HispanoAmericana Teresita Marquez (from Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno) sashayed in a bikini top and flared pants, while Miss World 2013 Megan Young wore the season’s ubiquitous nautical stripes and skin-baring blouse.
Juliana Gomez (of Richard and Lucy Torres) and Michelle Dee (of Melanie Marquez) joined young actors David Licauco and Albie Casiño in flaunting casual staples and summer-ready outfits. BenchSetters in the audience were as much scene-stealers as those on the runway: Derrick Monasterio (of Tina Monasterio), Leila Alcasid (of Ogie and Michelle van Eimeren), Isabelle Daza (of Gloria Diaz) and Marco Gumabao (of Dennis Roldan). A hot, young thing sure to make a splash is newcomer Rhys Miguel.
The one that will propel the Bench family to new fashion heights will be Assembly, Suyen Corp.’s international multibrand concept store (at S Maison, SM Aura Premier, The Power Plant Mall). On its roster are established names Emilio Pucci, Paul Smith and Maison Mihara Yasuhiro.
Cutting-edge designers add to Assembly’s street cred, such as Richard Chun’s Plc. New York, Minki Cheng (Minki London), Min Sun Park (Kindersalmon), Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Repetto Paris; Han Kjobenhavn, Izipizi and Le Specs for accessories; Maison Assouline, Men’s Society, Palomino and Phaidon for home and novelty items; and Rivieras, Rupert Sanderson, Zespa Aix-en-Provence for footwear.
But what excites me most are the entry this year of brands that encourage you never to jeopardize your individuality, like some Scandinavian brands; Christopher Kane, the Scottish designer with a modern aesthetic; and Stella Jean, the Creole artist mentored by Armani whose multiethnic approach to dressing will resonate with feisty Filipino fashionistas.
That sartorial sensibility will be a welcome counterpoint to brands whose look, styling and marketing are interchangeable.