Punk goes formal at the 6th Philippine Fashion Ball
Fashion is famously fluid, addicted to what’s new and what’s now. But just as intrinsic to fashion is the value of honoring the past: local fashion insiders and influencers look forward to honoring established names, and mingling fashion’s present and future stars each year with the Philippine Fashion Ball.
Now in its sixth year, the event combines the design vocabulary of the past with the energy and excitement of the present, teaming up with online pioneer Lazada to come up with an early incarnation of the worldwide trend, “See now, buy now.” The ball was a fun way to party and shop at the same time.
Since the focus of the night was young designers and online shopping, it was only fitting that a revolutionary theme was in effect: guests came attired in “Punk Formal.”
Punk — a rude pivot away from establishment norms — added an audacious spirit to the evening. And the city’s fashion lovers did not disappoint. From the subtlest of tributes, such as Randy Ortiz’s gold safety pins on his jacket, to the most outrageous of looks like stylist Andre Chang’s sculptural ensemble, the iconoclastic spirit of punk made for “Gram-worthy looks.”
When the first Philippine Fashion Ball was launched, stylist, fashion professor and early event organizer Noel Manapat said: “In other events, we are always working; but tonight, we are the revelers.”
He added it was a thrill to see the venerable Aureo Alonzo attend the party, and watching fashion designers — young and old — respectfully honoring the master.
At this year’s ball, it was heartwarming to see supermodel Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and her daughter Sabina, herself a promising ramp model, present awards and join in the party. It was also a real fashion moment to witness the “eternally radiant” (as host JM Rodriguez so aptly put it) Izza Gonzalez interpret the night’s Punk Formal theme with a striking Helmut Lang dress and sky-high hair.
On a personal note, I loved seeing Beatrice Samson whose career I have followed from her first collection that got her the nod of the Preview Emerging Fashion Talent Award, and seeing firsthand the impeccable workmanship and poetic touches in her collection that she presented in Kuala Lumpur.
And the award goes to...
While the guests made the ball enough of a fashion adventure, what gave it greater gravitas and a delightful celebratory air was the night’s awardees.
The first awards went to two makeup artists: Omar Ermita and Robbie Piñera.
One of Shu Uemura’s makeup artists, Omar has combined editorial work with glamming up celebrities Marian Rivera and models Ria Bolivar and Nicole Hernandez. The award was presented by Daryl Chang.
Robbie Piñera, on the other hand, beautified brides Georgina Wilson and Solenn Heusaff. He was honored by the presence of his friends and fashion stalwarts L’Officiel editor in chief Pam Quiñones and fashion designer Martin Bautista.
Representing the modeling sector of the fashion industry was a mighty trifecta: the winner of the Philippines’ first Supermodel of the World search and still a supermodel, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez presented an award to Jodilly Pendre, first runner-up on TV reality show Asia’s Next Top Model, who has gone on to model in Milan, Dubai, Singapore and Jakarta. Menswear maverick Randy Ortiz presented an award to model-turned-actor Miko Raval who fronted PAL’s newest campaign and just concluded a stint on afternoon drama Tubig at Langis. Also a pillar of the menswear design scene, Tonichi Noncom presented the last award for modeling to the ageless and timeless Izza Gonzales Agana.
JM then asked the audience: “Do you believe that cameras can capture part of your soul? Because Paolo Pineda truly captures that essence with each photo he takes,” and listed the notables who have worked with this amazing but always humble artist: John Lloyd Cruz, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, Solenn Heusaff, Kathryn Bernardo, Liza Soberano, and even Victoria’s Secret Angel and supermodel Miranda Kerr.
Power couple of modeling Janna Tee and Brent Javier presented the award to Paolo Pineda.
From the publishing sector, Metro magazine was cited for being the first publication to have its own television show, MetroWear, available on the iPad.
Presenting the award was BJ Pascual, who’s created some of the Metro’s most memorable covers.
Liza Ilarde, editor-in-chief of Manila Bulletin’s “Style Weekend,” received the award from close friends fashion designer Rhett Eala and stylist and columnist Luis Espiritu.
The Industry Award went to Isha Andaya Valles, editor-in-chief of Stylebible.ph (Preview.ph). She’s concurrently the editor-in-chief of Preview magazine. She received her award from Joey Samson.
The Best Dressed for the night were Cenon Normal III, Mav Bernardo, Julius Culas, Preview’s Daryl Chang, stylist and contributing editor Andre Chang.
The fashion world’s next generation of design pioneers are Rik Rasos and Patrick Bondoc of Proudrace; Esme Palaganas of Basic Movement; RJ Santos of Randolf; and Bea Samson. They were presented by Lazada Philippines chief marketing officer Tristan de Belloy and chief commercial officer Ray Alimurung.
It’s easy to dismiss fashion with words like “frivolous” or “flighty,” or say it’s insensitive to the real-life troubles of the nation; but those who create it, cover it and capture it know about another world: one of countless sleepless nights, thinking, re-thinking, overthinking; of the million and one ways to create and destroy and create images again. And all that’s needed, perhaps, is a second look — or more than just a cursory glance. Yes, fashion is visual. But there is more to fashion than meets the eye.
