Hot and fit

CEBU, Philippines – As summer is about to bid adios, we scramed from our workstations and headed to a tropical destination in the suburbs. While summertime is the best season to show off those curves and muscled bods, your wardrobe luggage content is always on top of your mind. So, this is your last blow for summer, better look hot than ever!

Nautilus by PJ Arañador once again rolled out its new resortwear collection dubbed as the Hot & Fit: Body of Work, composed of five segments, during the Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit ’09 at the Juice Bar in the island paradise, Boracay, last week. Arañador’s knack for scorching island wear exuded on the ramp with the equally hot celebs and models wearing the Ilonggo designer’s roughly 80-piece collection. It was the finale of the Nestea Fit’s fashion series which was first held in Manila and in our very own Cebu.

Arañador underscored that the Bora showcase is quite alike with that presented in Cebu last April at the Parkmall in Mandaue City. However, he emphasized, he did some major revamps to make it even more special and exclusive for the event.

Using locally-sourced natural and indigenous materials, Arañador opened the show with the Cool Bodies segment that uses natural fiber as the main raw material to attain that flowy feel. Paolo Contis went first, donning an all-white ensemble of a shirt paired with fitted mini-trousers and a cover-up perfect for a stroll at the beachfront or a Hawaian luau. Cool Bodies has a wide variety of cover-ups, bathers and swanky swimwear for the belles and gents apt for seaside picnics and pool or beachfront lounging.

 Sensual Travel is a manifestation of Arañador’s patriotic flair. To open the set, the Survivor Philippines castaways headed by JC Tiuseco strutted down the runway wearing exotic yet modern, seductive, global ethnic garbs. Indigenous materials such as batik fabric was used, as well as abaca fibers for the accessories such as bags and hats. The inspiration was derived from Asian ethnicity, said Arañador. Iza Calzado closed the set with a graphic-printed off shoulder tunic.

Sexy Beach comprised boardshorts, trunks, hoodies and beach covers that are shapely sexy. The beachbums got a grand treat in this set composed of floral pieces washed with pastel hues – every beachcomber’s must-haves! According to Arañador, he religiously picks bright hues for his resortwear collections. Hunk Alfed Vargas opened the third set wearing a purple see-through top and lilac floral slacks.

Your active lifestyle is complimented with Second Wind’s lineup featuring energetic and dynamic garments like hoddies and boylegs. Second Wind connotes endurance and speed, hence the use of yellow and black as dominant tints resembling the racing flag. Rhian Ramos strutted the catwalk with a mini tube dress.

Gym and Fit used the hottest color in the color wheel – red. It was a red hot sizzling finale, indeed, highlighting graphic-designed (patterned designs) island wear that were nonetheless sexy but functional, as well.

Exciting, provocative and sensual – that wrapped up the Hot & Fit Resortwear collection by Nautilus by PJ Arañador. Check out Nautilus, a resort lifestyle store in D’Mall Boracay, if you fancy the pieces in this spread. Enjoy the beach while you still can!