In High Gears

CEBU, Philippines - With six gigantic LED screens providing the backdrop of a simulated Italian piazza,  Gear and Glam, Circle of Ten at Cebu’s ultimate lifestyle destination (The Atrium of the Northwing at S.M. City Cebu), had vintage cars and today’s top models in glam outfits marching down the runway. The look was modern tough and a little nostalgic both in equivocal measures.

Clothes have never been the only main event at Gear and Glam’s previous installations. This year’s staging showed consistency as designers from Fashion Council of Cebu (F.C.C.) teamed up harmoniously (again!) with Cebu’s Performance and Classic Car Enthusiasts (P.A.C.E.).

With a flash of light and the falling of curtains, the show began. Guests have come to expect stagecraft and choreography from ace director Junjet Primor, and they got it, judging from the loud applause from the seated special guests and standing-room-only crowd at the main atrium.

A model in belted and beribboned pouf dress, gloves, and 50s coiffure and her well suited gent formed tableaux vivants as the 1965 Shelby Cobra  took center stage, an opening surprise from Philip Rodriguez. More classic cars and chic collections followed. Most notable was Cary Santiago’s (fresh from his whopping success in Manila) beige and oatmeal architectural dresses on a rendezvous with the 1977 Volkswagen Convertible. Equally fabulous was Arcy Gayatin’s draped jersey (so soft, so fluid) with lace appliqués and matte beading. And unforgettable was Jun Escario’s toreador inspired ensemble with a black cape and stunning neckpiece in blanc et noir.  Gray but far from dull was Anthony Romoff’s pleated gunmetal tops that reminded me so much of a Frank Gehry structure paired with fluid skirt and a pair of palazzo pants that we haven’t seen in a while and will surely be en vogue again.

It was a nice change of pace from the usual swish-and-turn maneuver we’ve seen so much on the usual runway show. Some mannequins rode Hollywood-style on the featured cars catapulting the glam factor like Salvador Malto’s color blocked Mondrian inspired jumpsuit and dress while some traversed the full length of the piazza with inimitable style like Oj Hofer’s red hot jersey numbers, Philip Tampus’ ash lace knee skimming dress and come-backing Ditas Rodriguez’ saffron floor length contraptions. The finale saw a yellow 1974 Ferrari Dino emerging from the split LED screen skillfully maneuvered by P.A.C.E. President (and world famous industrial design artist) Kenneth Cobonpue while Albert Arriba’s rock frocks in leather and stretch tulle upped the style quotient even more!

Bravissimo! (THE FREEMAN)