Enticing Entourage

CEBU, Philippines - Backstage before the show last weekend, Cebu Fashion Designers Alliance (C.F.D.A.) designers tossed around such fashion-isms as “eccentric glamour” and “kooky sophistication” before Ren Manabat remarked, “I think the ultimate luxury in fashion is to be yourself, to celebrate your personality.” Combine those utterances with the fact that the bridal entourage collection was dubbed Flights of Fancy. And since one is part of the entourage, it’s the bride’s call. But ugly bridesmaid dresses aren’t on display here. It seemed like we were in for a typically whimsical outing from the designers

It was a surprise, then, to witness an elegant, grown-up parade of plain silks, linens and organdy in bright hues and pales. Barbie Alvez didn’t neglect the sweetly girlish sensibility that has made her clothes must-haves among a fashion-obsessed clique of starlets. But by sending out looks like a nipped-waist tutu inspired bridesmaid dress, she should attract new fans. Marichu Tan’s kookiness revealed itself in stealth form, most engagingly in a charming line-drawing tassels swinging from an empire cut hot pink ankle grazing dress. Protacio accessorized his draped lilac tube dress with jewelweed headgear and bouquet, but none of it was a distraction. William Manahan’s sherbet pleated linen dress could sit well in a beach wedding around sunset. Or sunrise. So does Edwin Ao’s dual toned chiffon number with asymmetric zippers.

For the incurable romantic maid of honors and bridesmaids, a champagne dipped knee length satin dress with belle epoch-ish top from Ren Manabat and Wendell Quisido’s fanciful play of textures and hues (woodbark brown stretch chiffon over matte gold stretch charmeuse) could mean everyone’s happy and not just the newlyweds. Bravissimo!

Credits:

M.A.C.>Models Association of Cebu (0197 6302400 / 032 3162368)

Maquillage: Ramil Solis assisted by Aries Marabe, Jude Gabato and Jay Failanga

Photographed by Alex Yap and Glenn Gamayot