Edwin Alba: Neo Classicist

CEBU, Philippines - Pink, blush, the neutrals with mostly jet black—the classic slick of color that young designer Edwin Alba unveiled started life as watercolor paints sloshed sparingly on luxurious fabrics that embody his collection. “Then we manipulated the images on the computer so they created strong visuals,” the designer explained as he collaborated with lensman Dan Douglas Ong. That high-tech, semi-scientific visual filtration is a fascination Ong has (coincidentally) shared with the designer whose predilection to the classic formal outlined his taste. In this recent case, the pale colors of pink, blush and beige dresses juxtaposed with black (very Chanel-ish!) that set the color codes for all the single-hued pieces that followed for his menswear of tailored suits.

The effect had a nostalgic albeit refreshing energy about it: pragmatic modernism dealt out in color-blotted, free flowing column dresses with a graphic simplicity (the best of those came later (a black elegantly cut strapless chiffon dress with ivory pleated satin embellishments). Menswear might benefit from some condensing, but still, it left a bright and optimistic impression for the fashion scene as a new torchbearer in classicism amidst a sea of deconstructionism and funky lines. Alba is a young designer who got his Fine Arts degree at the University of San Carlos. “Since my father used to be a contractor on building houses both doing the structure and interior finishing, it just came naturally that I went to Interior Design school ( Fine Arts, Major in Interior Design),” he revealed. Furthermore, his mother, who secretly brought him clothes shopping is a great influence who prodded him to the field of style. He considers master classicists Emmanuel Ungaro, Givenchy and Valentino as icons. Though labeled as a neophyte, his sensibility, particularly this season, fits right in to the local scene.

Bravissimo!