Dibs from Deb

It’s time to toss out that preconceived notion of British clothing being rather formal and stuffy. Buck teeth and prim garb have long been out the door. Say cheerio to the Elizabethan epoch as we are encased in a cutting-edge era with style icons Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Jade Jagger at the forefront. With some of the hottest designers and members of the international best-dressed list bursting out of the UK, there’s an eruption of gorgeous British fashion and clearly it’s only on its way up.

How do these Brit lasses seem to have the most effortless, chic style? While breaking away from the ancient traditions of tweed, argyle and classic forms of English dressing, they’ve brought the hi-lo term to a new level. They perfectly combine the right mix of casual and dressy, inexpensive and luxurious and seem to have a grand time doing it. These gals know how to inject style into anything, whether it’s attending a movie premiere or an ordinary trip to the newsstand. Take it from them and their designer friends. The British are revamping fashion and evolving it into a more modern manner. With designers from the UK at the fashion world’s helm, you’ll be thrilled to know that you don’t have to trek to rainy London to dole out some quid. Some of their creations are readily available on our sunny, tropical shores.

With over 100 stores in the UK and Ireland and over 20 international locations, the UK’s favorite retailer Debenhams recently made its debut in Manila and has already amassed quite a fan club. That said, I don’t have a bloody doubt that it will soon turn into a favorite here as well. Established over a century ago, Debenhams is one of the most respected department stores in the UK. The merchandise they offer differentiates them from other retailing outfits as they showcase lines from progressive designers embodying their premium brands at reasonable prices. What was once aspirational is now affordable. Now that’s music to my ears.

Exclusively available at Debenhams, the Designers at Debenhams lines include a team of creative minds that will have any fashionista’s heart racing. Holder of the British Designer of the Year award in 1994, John Rocha is known for his distinctive fusion of Celtic and Chinese culture. A Hong Kong native, he has been living in Ireland for years and has incorporated his childhood culture with his present-day surroundings. Rocha pieces usually look handcrafted and contain embellishments and appliqués.

Matthew Williamson, a perennial fave of Sienna Miller and the lot of British hens, is a St. Martins School of Fashion graduate whose client list is a roster of celebrity A-listers. Drawing inspiration from the East, particularly India, he shows this through feminine, vibrant, colored frocks that are adorned with embroidery and other ornamentation.

With the British Designer of the Year award in 1986 under his belt, Jasper Conran is one of Britain’s most commercially-successful designers, focusing more on fit and tailoring. Hues that are easy to match and the versatility of the colors he selects permit clients to build outfits without too much thought.

Boasting a massive celebrity client list, Julien Macdonald is synonymous with glamour. Bagging the British Glamour Designer of the Year twice and Womenswear Designer of the Year in the GQ Men of the Year awards in 2003, this former creative director of Givenchy is a sure knockout when it comes to dressing like a superstar. He’s responsible for dressing Kylie Minogue when she’s on tour.

Antoni and Alison is a quirky, trendy line that is perfect for days and weekends. Laid-back and whimsical, this collection features casual separates made of high-quality fabrics that are guaranteed to become staples in anyone’s wardrobe. The epitome of cool confidence, Betty Jackson is a British designer who creates clothes for women who are looking for slight twists to today’s trends. Elie Tahari is a lifestyle wardrobe must, created for the sophisticate, with knits and denim forming the core of the collection while infusing more intricate pieces to compliment the basics. Meeting the modern woman’s needs, this is the ideal line for a working woman. Janet Reger’s creations are swanky and surprisingly more affordable than Agent Provocateur. Made for the bedroom, her lingerie is so beautiful you can even wear it out. Red Herring is a line that offers the whole gamut, from casual to dressy without breaking the bank.

For Spring/Summer 2006, these renowned designers are offering a slew of awesome clothes that will make you hotter than Brit natives Posh Spice and Keira Knightly. With the prairie trend on the horizon, white on white accompanied by vintage denim washes will transform you into a steaming Laura Ingalls Wilder. Layer these natural fabrics (we love cotton and linen) and choose some lace or crocheted cotton to compliment the look. Whether you jump on the prairie bandwagon or not, white is this season’s color to sport.

With prom approaching and Valentine’s Day knocking at our door, Designers at Debenhams have an array of frocks perfect for any occasion. Tulle dresses that are punk-inspired and long dresses made of satin and crinkled georgette will be flying off the racks while dainty, ladylike nightgowns can double as evening wear. Versatile vanity goes the long mile.

Moving into summer is no easy feat. Taking inventory of your wardrobe to see what can work with the season’s trends is something you easily can do while chatting on the phone with your pals. Whatever you lack can be found at Debenhams. God save the Queen for that!

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Debenhams is located on the third floor of Shangri-la Plaza Mall. In addition to women’s wear, they have men’s and children’s wear and home sections.

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For more information on Canyon Ranch, turn to the next page.

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Comments? E-mail me at jcantonio@gmail.com.