Fashion watch report: Joel Escober wows with his flip side

MANILA, Philippines - When the first white mini dress appeared — sheer bodice, peplum skirt, a touch of his trademark textured embellishment — you knew Joel Escober was onto something new. It was some kind of high, a disco high apparently, as his models sashayed to a medley of tunes circa Studio 54. And though he was admittedly inspired by ‘70s fashion, this was not your all-out glam and gold, but done up in wonderful Joel style, alluringly soft and chic. Eveningwear was easy but super sexy in loose silhouettes of sheer maxis in tulle, flowy bias skirts, and butterfly sleeves. His tailored tastes, a bit distractingly embellished, showed up in utilitarian mini dresses of black, khaki and white. But it was the appearance of floor-length frocks in lime green and fluorescent yellow that showed us Escober is exploring a new side of himself, one we’d love to watch.