Philippine Fashion Week Review: Bold color, a graphic summer at SM

MANILA, Philippines - The show of SM Ladies Fashion last Tuesday at Philippine Fashion Week took place at cavernous Hall 2, an evening show attended by stylists, a sprinkling of celebrities, and fashion magazine editors on the lookout for “cheap and chic” finds. It’s no secret that the department store is one of our favorite destinations for bargain shopping, with fans exchanging tips on the best times to go for a stress-free visit. The spring-summer show for 2012 was styled by designer Gian Romano for the second time in a row, a sign that the department store clearly seeks to be taken more seriously by the fashion world. The collection was composed of day-to-night dresses, tailored work pieces, party clothes and resort wear, with a focus on wearability, the store’s strong suit. In-house shoe line Parisian showed covetable designs as well, inciting a reminder to self to visit this section for a quick shoe fix.

Power color

Summer is truly the season for color, and SM showed a strong continuation of the popular color-blocking trend in casual as well as evening looks. Acid blue, purple, red, yellow and citrus shades were shown in tailored blazers, skinny cotton pants, and playful shorts. Flowy Grecian-inspired goddess gowns remain for evening, made bolder this season in purple and coral.

Modern neutrals

Timeless black and white pieces are staples for a woman’s wardrobe, and SM certainly filled this need with tailored pantsuits, shift dresses and feminine party frocks. Fresh trends were infused to successfully update classic silhouettes. A long-sleeved mini featured a crystal-encrusted Peter Pan collar. A skintight bodysuit with sexy sheer panels was paired brilliantly with a knee-length feminine taupe skirt. Gold and lurex fabric for tops and floor-skimming skirts were seventies-inspired glamorous evening looks. The lightest pieces, when layered in gold, gray and taupe, came out easy and elegant for a laidback evening of cocktails.

Play on print

A variety of prints spiced up the collections, ranging from exotic patterns to bold stripes. Bohemian luxe dresses always make a strong showing locally for summer, and SM sent a few cool dresses down the runway topped with tailored colored jackets. Accessories were also done in animal prints and geometrics.

Bold steps

Every woman will find a pair to covet among Parisian’s vast spring summer collection. The department store’s shoe line, a fashion insider secret for a quick fix, Following the popular color block trend were sky-high suede platforms in delectable hues of mustard, red, and purple. Wedges remained popular for their comfort as well as for grounding summer’s frothy creations. Boots were an ode to the adventurer in every one, including fur-lined lace-ups in wedge heels and knee-high suede pairs, certainly not made for traversing our side of the equator, but good to have for trekking foreign lands. Ankle boots in black and gray were sexy and functional, providing a masculine counterpoint to frothy summer pieces. Timeless styles like ladylike pumps were updated in elegant embellishment such as crystals and intricate embroidery. For nights on the town, sexy cutout stilettos in crimson.

Graphic swim

The in-house swimwear line Coco Cabaña focused on black and white for this summer. First to come out were one-pieces with simple accents like ruffled details or one-shoulder straps. Graphic prints of black and white were seen in animal print and chain link patterns. A geometric bandeau bikini worn by model Ria Bolivar, is a sexy and strong look for this coming summer, a sure standout on the beach or poolside lounging.