How I found myself a friendly neighborhood couturier

MANILA, Philippines - When I found out that designer Pat Santos had set up shop north of Manila, the true blue QC girl in me had to immediately drop by the atelier. I’d heard how Pat Santos does simple lines and silhouettes that flatter a woman’s shapely figure. And being a working girl who’s far from having that quintessentially “womanly” body type, I was infinitely curious about how Pat’s designs would suit me.

At the shop, I saw a lot of basics and the most practical black and white numbers, too. I found his smart separates an especially helpful addition to my wardrobe. So when I’m in the mood for a statement shoe, or a strong skinny jean-and-heel type of outfit, all I need is to throw on a basic top — a light knit sweater or a black chiffon tee — to add the right proportions to the look.

Dresses, especially tailored ones that are office-appropriate, are another of Pat’s known fortes. I was never really a fan of what they call “body-con” or body-conscious dresses — until I tried on a Pat Santos.

Whether it’s the panels and stitches in all the right places, the snug-fitting fabric, or Pat’s skill in working with classic cuts, there’s definitely something about his dresses that changed my mind about body-con. I finally understood why they call his dresses “figure-flattering.”

My favorite discovery is his classic sleeveless dress in a bold blue hue. I love how the silhouette is so simple, but the color choice is spot-on statement-making. Speaking of trends, Pat unexpectedly has a lot of hip, of-the-moment designs, too. Among his collection of predominantly black and white pieces, I found a colorful-patterned sweater that’ll make a great go-to option for work, when I’m in need of a fun outfit to brighten up my day.

And so, a week since I visited Pat Santos’ new QC shop, I can’t resist wearing his designs every day to work. Looks like I’ve found myself a friendly neighborhood couturier.

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Pat Santos’ new atelier is at 42 Sgt. Esguerra Ave., QC. Or visit the designer's first shop at 115 Luz St. corner CRM Ave., BF Almanza, Las Piñas City.

For inquiries, call 806-7214.