What goes up must come down

CEBU, Philippines - Philipp Tampus could have bowed down to the demands of the rising temperature by raising the hemlines above the knee— or higher?—if not for the exaggerated peplum attached to the white one-piece swimwear.

Length matters. A Tampus identification has been about long and glamorous dresses even if the climate calls for shorter skirts and breezier blouses. Records show, he’s always clever enough to get away with his personal pragmatisms, as seen in his Spring/Summer show at the Philippine Fashion Week. Instead of sending out models in skimpy outfits, he prefers long tails, both soft and architectural draping sweeping the floor, and sheer fabrics that show off the skin.

Immensely trained in haute couture abroad, the Cebuano fashion designer sure knows where the sewing bites go in each design, like a city engineer with a map of the sewerage route. His lace number might be a little too covered for summer, but he strategically assigns cuts in the right places to provide ventilation, only apparent once you begin to move: slashed long sleeves with cuffs, front slits that allow you to tease with your legs.

There can’t be too much skin here (ala Angelina Jolie?). Go ahead and scare up a thrill. The cut-out bustier with acrylic Baroque patterns that perfectly match the oversized earrings and transparent Shandar wedges have been detail superstars of the moment. He has managed to gather all the season’s first love affairs (50 shades of pink, green, blue, white) in proper order, either as the lone color of the piece or thrown out as appliqués.

Immaculate craftsmanship, correct, but on a closer look, his subtle treatment of the current trends to his designs—sometimes, carrying more than one trend at a time—has all made them easy, relaxed and good for the beach.

They’re never meant for swimming, to begin with. But you’ve got now the excuse to lounge around the beach with a chirpy-cheerful smile and a Pollyanna pep in our step. We haven’t felt this energized in ages: So if you can swim in these, why not?  (FREEMAN)