I don’t consider myself a fashionista. I have never owned a single dress designed by a fashion designer, or designers slated to become the industry’s next big names. Probably the most expensive dresses I ever owned in my life was when I was single and I had a very generous father who doted on me and bought me trendy Ready-to-wear (RTW) clothes from Rustan’s Department store. The only fashion show I attended was in the UK when I was in my mid-twenties. I was struck with the cobalt-blue fashionable dresses that were presented before me and my sister. I am totally clueless when it comes to catwalk fashion though that doesn’t mean I don’t dress up in style.
So, what was I doing at Philippine Fashion Week Holiday Collection 2009? Well, maybe it was time to take that big leap of faith when it comes to choosing dress styles. Perhaps it was time to fantasize and imagine myself trying out unique creations. Secondly, I am in the lookout for fashion designers that use our local materials. There were just too many shows to cover but I narrowed myself down to Sunday’s show where I thought Premier Collection E might cover unique designs. I covered Premier Collection C but thought their designs were just too un-wearable for my taste.
Just as Premier Collection E started, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney took the vacant chair beside me in the “Reserved for Media” seats. Tessa Prieto seated across me motioned US Ambassador to move to her vacant chair but Kristie said she was fine seated beside me. The US ambassador turned to me, offered her hand and said “Hi, I am Kristie”. Oh wow, I found her so gracious and humble. I turned to the media man beside me and whispered “What’s her family name again?”. He was just as clueless as I was so I plurked and asked my plurk friends if they knew Kristie’s family name. Thanks plurk buddies.
The Buensalido PR provided me with a press kit before the show and it came in quite handy when I whispered some information to Kristie as the show unfolded. Like me, Kristie adored the designs that used native materials. Hmm, we seemed to have the same taste.
Jaki Peñalosa
What makes Jaki Peñalosa’s collection my favorite among the others was his skillful blend of Filipino elements and Western modes of dress. Following the trends set by the designers in Milan and New York are unavoidable – like it or not, they’re the fashion capitals of the world. But the modes put forward by the West are not set in stone; they are very much open to modification and adaptation to local tastes and indigenous flavor. Jaki Penalosa was able to do this with great success, and I hope more Filipino designers can do the same thing. (Check more photos at Premier Collection E)
Oliver Tolentino
There were just so many designers for Philippine Fashion week and I am sure there are more designs that utilized indigenous materials. I wanted to call it a day until I remembered that my daughter, mentioned that her high school classmate was a fashion designer and even had a solo show.
I adored Sassa’s overall look which is ““polished, sleek, and sexy” and suited for the young ones. (Check out more of her designs in another entry Sassa Jimenez Solo Show)
I believe that ““You have to feel good to look good” as Sassa points out. ““I want all of my pieces to bring out that message. My dream is to see women wearing my creations and think to themselves, ‘Wow, I didn’t know I could pull off an outfit like this! Now I can’t wait to try other styles!'”
I’d like to say so myself and perhaps check out these upcoming designers who can come out with a unique yet suitable style for my prime time age. I am not sure if I want to be be more daring, to try out something different, and ultimately, to discover different dimensions of myself through various types of clothing styles. Fashion is a personal choice we make every day. It’s something that can define you.
Am I ready to get off my comfort zone or stick to tried-and-tested combinations?
View Related Entries of Philippine Fashion Week
Premier Collection E featuring Chris Diaz, Enrico Carado, Jaki Penalosa, John Abul, Len Nepomuceno Guiao, and Oliver Tolentino
Premier Collection C featuring Anthony Nocom, Bang Pineda, Estien Quijano, Jerome Lorico, Marc Tana, Odelon Simpao
Spotted at Premier Collection E was Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Tessa Prieto
Thank you Bryan Boy for hooking me up with
Tiffany Anderjaska of Runway Productions.
