Shiny, flowy, with an air of confidence
MANILA, Philippines - It began with Albert Andrada’s delicate black lace and sheer, champagne-hued body-skimming gowns, reminiscent of fine lingerie and romance. He adorned the decolletage with crystals and beadings, like the glint of smooth, bare skin underneath chandeliers. The runway then burst with playful energy from Eric delos Santos’ collection, which emphasized movement in caped trapeze dresses, pleated a-line skirts (worn with the quintessential crop top), and fringe that swayed in motion, enhanced by bold patterns and irees. Jerome Salaya Ang updated his signature construction by mixing flora and fauna in hard and soft fabric such as crocodile skin with leopard print and floral print silk. He also introduced a new proportion: lowered shoulders. Jun-jun Cambe’s anti-trend narrative took place in the nomadic Middle East, opening his show with flowing deconstructed caftans in the colors of the sunset, trimmed with satin at the hem for a hint of glitter like that of fine sand. Day turned into pitch-black night as men and women swagger in jodhpurs, harem pants, and turbans. Off-shoulder studded tunics with cutouts on its back for women and kilts for men channeled reimagined abayas. A strategic fall of fabric over the midriff brings sensuality to a palette of gray, black, and white in a slouchy silhouette; Norman Noriega did this well, but relaxing isn’t what the collection was about. Audio of roaring F1 cars played on, indicating that his hanging tops and tie-dyed bomber jackets are for getting things done. The show came to a close with Raoul Ramirez transporting us to the French Riviera to tell one woman’s love story, and floor-grazing frocks in sparkling nautical stripes. Wedding gowns appeared toward the end, but they were only a prelude to a black ball gown covered in gold embroidery. Indeed, the story ended happily ever after.
