Trendspotting with Friends in Fashion (F2)

Y101 Roommates Party last weekend was quite a blast. Twenty strong gorgeous mannequins from M.A.C.>Models Association of Cebu sashayed the multi-tiered eggshell white runway wearing the collections of Friends in Fashion (F2) designers Wendell Quisido, Ren Manabat, Ray Kuan, Edwin Ao, Protacio and Marichu Tan.

Interpreting upcoming trends are what our prolific designers are known for. Wendell Quisido's So Eighties collection was inspired by the ultra fantabulous 80's soap opera Dynasty popularized by oil rich Texan ladies Linda Evans and Joan Collins. Thus, Wendell dished out big, ornately beaded gowns in black lace and gold lame, topped with big hair and super luxe jewelry and stovepipe silk pants with caftan sleeved blouse. His menswear saw sharkskin suit and perfect tailoring. Feminine and frilly were Ren Manabat's operative words for his Trapeze Artist collection. His silhouette was, as the name suggests, away from the body in a rich chocolate palette. A bevy of space jocks equipped with telecommunication gears reminiscent of the Jetsons literally romped Ray Kuan's ramp. In contrasting black and white, Ray Kuan's Get Sporty collection took in a new meaning.

Enfant terrible Edwin Ao's celestial approach to dressing became his Space Odyssey collection of silver sheath with multiple darts and a cobalt & silver dress with criss-cross patterns. His menswear reminds me of Edward Scissorhands with which the designer said, "Yes, it's a futuristic outlook from the 60's!" Protacio's Pin Up Girls collection saw an exquisitely quilted, below -the-knee pencil skirt with a satin dolman blouse and short suit with Veronica Lake-ish hair and maquillage. His men's line showed relaxed but sharp tailoring with wool trousers, a two-toned, slim tie and linen shirt topped with Prince of Wales beret. Finale brought down the house with lady designer Marichu Tan's Neo-Romantic collection in silver, white and lacy below-the-knee dresses in juxtaposing silhouettes with textured fabrication. Truly perfection in craftsmanship and design.

To Friends in Fashion director Junjet Primor, Y101 Roommates Jude Bacalso and June Rabin, bravissimo!