Moda Cebuana: Shape Shifts

CEBU, Philippines - At the One Cebu Fashion Gala staged at no less than the Plenary Hall of the Cebu International Convention Center, 50 designers from the charitable group Clothes for Life, unleashed a barrage of style, ranging from the risqué to the contemporary classic to a select audience converged at the cavernous hall. Dubbed Moda Cebuana, the gala opened with short formals, then followed by long formals that crescendo-ed to a bridal finale that had Cebu’s lady governor, Gwendoyln Garcia, looking extremely pleased. After all, One Cebu, a week long celebration of Cebu’s best, is her own creation.

“Shapes,” said Clothes for Life president Cary Santiago before the show, when asked what he’d been thinking about after watching the whole collection backstage. “All the more, the choices offered had a bit of playfulness, something uplifting in these trying times.” He obviously, was referring to the somewhat colorful albeit toned down array of clothes zigzagging right before his own eyes. There were architectural pieces vis-à-vis fluid items enough to incite a frenzy of sorts. Playful as the spirit was, you couldn’t exactly call these conventional clothes.

Equally electric was a pastel pink close to blush pleated totem pole silhouette that appeared on a chiffon dress with a brassiere top and hints of translucency and a layered blanc et noir number with naughty hosiery from Barbie Alvez and Edwin Ao, respectively. This was surprisingly followed by a number of sweetheart neckline shifts from Manuel Tomaque and Elmer de Venecio both with exciting detailing. More shape shifts from Jp Cabigon whose raw silk ultra modern toga had a down-there décolleté. As for those with fluidity in their minds, Protacio led the pack with his draped strapless number in metallic jersey that can newly define the Lbd. And for the uplifting part of the equation, Vania Romoff, Didi Araneta and Brendon Cenon opted for black also with the latter mixing it up with oatmeal. Not scaling back on his use of prints, Humberto Villegas giant print caftan had all the evening resort feel. Two who dabbled with menswear received rave reviews as William Manahan’s three button sharkskin beige and black and Edwin Alba’s gunmetal silver suit with necktie confirmed once again that fashion is alive in our island paradise. Though the show would have benefited from some condensing, but still, it left a bright and optimistic impression. A show of this magnitude, had the Clothes for Life designers with its sensibility, particularly this season, fits right into the global scene. Soon to follow, bridal couture, still from Clothes for Life not for the faint-hearted bride to be. Bravissimo!