Hey, slick

Being around long enough to sniff certain predictable things in the ephemeral world of fashion, I have concluded the following:

1) Trends are usually recycled ideas.

2) You’ll know it’s fall when you see high necklines.

3) Ideas are usually derivative but not necessarily unoriginal.

Charina Sarte has been a model for seven years. With her sweeping line of elegant and understated clothes named Charina Sarte, along with a swimwear line called Minx, which she started with fashion wunderkind Tina Daniac last summer, she’s made the transition from mannequin to maker. One night at Embassy, I noticed that all the pretty people I love to drool over, like Nic Bell and Phoem Baranda, all had a certain look. They looked like modern-day Greek goddesses floating in slick jersey pieces that were just swimming with elegance and ease.

Needless to say, I was smitten. When I figured it was Charina who was the architect of my envy, I realized I had to meet her.

The three things I just learned, I’ve unlearned through Charina. Her pieces are never trendy. Her experience as a model has taught her more than how to pose. She studied the wares she strutted. She points out that Madame Gres and Jean Muir’s frocks, which, despite their simplicity, were dresses that stood out in a sea of excess and were markedly original.

Since she started with swimsuits, which was extolled by Ornusa Cadness last summer in Boracay, Charina has stood by her favorite fabric, giving her line a distinct character by revolving around the possibilities of jersey. She explains, "I love working with jersey since most of my designs give emphasis to the body as a form. It falls perfectly and molds to the body. I would like to be known for bringing out the femininity of every woman I dress by accentuating her figure." She adds, "Making swimsuits is something I will always enjoy doing, but I love all aspects of fashion so I naturally wanted to try my hand at couture."

Every person has a different way of expressing himself, and, unlike people like me (who have no discernable talent other than spending my rent money on a fabulous dress), Charina uses her craft to send a message. "Fashion is one of the most basic forms of expression. It is art that we practice every day. I dress according to my mood. It constantly changes and, I would like to think, it evolves every time." This makes sense since she is a romantic at heart, and she wears her heart on her sleeve. "When I start designing anything, the first thing I consider is how I will make this woman really look like a woman. I love romanticizing dressing up."

With all that said, I couldn’t help but ask if it was possible to swim in her dresses, to which she cheekily replied, "I have yet to try it."

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Charina Sarte can be reached at 0917-9011922 or charinasarte@hotmail.com.