Where fashion’s finest meet

Not too long ago, some dared to ask whether Filipino designers could still compete with each other as they did in the golden era of Philippine fashion during the ’70s, and if they still had the grit and cutting edge to outdo each other. The answer to both these questions is yes.

When the Metrowear Series 2006, presented by Metro magazine, kicked off on Oct. 4 and continued on Oct. 9 with fashion shows from top designers Rhett Eala, Rajo Laurel, Lulu Tan Gan, Dennis Lustico, Jun Escario and Rhett Eala, the audience was treated to quite a show. Although the pieces exuded luxury, glamour, and presented opulent details, they were never over-the-top but rather fit today’s modern, urban lifestyle. The outfits paraded down the catwalk gave stylish men and women everywhere another reason to look forward to the upcoming holiday season. In addition to the parties, presents, and good company, you now have fabulous frocks to boot!

As the series continues with fashion shows featuring the holiday collections of Anthony Nocom, Ivarluski Aseron, Randy Ortiz, Joey Samson, and Cesar Gaupo, we have more to look forward to and take our style cues from. This series has shown that the ability of our local designers to interpret, innovate and dazzle has not dimmed. In fact, it has never been more alive.

Here’s another peek into the minds and collections of the other designers who complete the impressive Metrowear Series of 2006. Although it has already been quite a prelude to the annual Metrowear Gala in December that will give us front row seats to what’s hot for spring/summer 2007, it seems that the best is yet to come.

Cesar Gaupo
What is your design philosophy?

Women are passionate about what they wear because fashion has an important role in expressing who you are.

What was your inspiration for this collection?

I like lines, architecture and perspective.

Who are your style icons? Do you have a muse?

I admire women with a strong sense of fashion in general. I don’t have a muse in particular but would think that women who wear my clothes have an urban sensitivity and lifestyle. They’re modern and they know what they want.

What big trends do you predict for 2007?

I don’t make predictions but create direction that becomes my inspiration.

Are there any past trends that you love?

The ’30s.

Trends that you despise?

The ’50s. Randy Ortiz
What is your design philosophy?

I consider myself a minimalist designer – clean, wearable, understated elegance, contemporary classic with an edge!

What was your inspiration for this collection?

Power dressing reinvented. Drama in black for men and women with an active lifestyle. It was classic and elegant but still very contemporary.

Who are you style icons? Do you have a muse?

I admire stylish men and women who have made their mark in fashion history like Grace Kelly, Lady Diana, Nicole Kidman and great designers like YSL, Valentino, Oleg Cassini, Armani, and Paul Smith.

What big trends do you predict for 2007?

Preppy chic and trapeze.

Are there any past trends that you love?

The bubble silhouette will always be a favorite classic.

Trends that you despise?

I never liked the grungy look or punk fashion. Anthony Nocom
What was your inspiration for your collection?

Casual elegance: suit dressing for men in a casual and relaxed manner. It is my first collection of suits from the first to the last set. Although not every set will match. A few will have different jacket styles – pea coat, blouson, cropped and pants come matched together with jackets. The jeans will be in black denim. Color is black with variations of pinstripe. My collection will be slim and narrow in silhouette to show you can wear a jacket with jeans and still look dressy.

Who are your style icons? Muses?

My style icons would be men who know themselves in dressing. I like men who, when dressing is discussed, are not conservative, but are aware of current trends, styles that work for them, and ask about certain looks. Men who are confident.

What trends do you predict for 2007?

For 2007, men will be more fashion-conscious and unafraid to try something new. The silhouette will be slim. They will also be wearing more jackets – formal, casual, deconstructed to complete their outfit, especially during special occasions.

White will dominate during the summer. Pleats on pants will again make a comeback and prints on shirts as well. The new Hawaiian print shirts will no longer be done in bright colors but in muted shades of blue, red, green and yellow with prints like palm trees or flowers.

Suspenders will be a key accessory, but a slimmer version this time. Walking shorts for men that are above the knee, flat-front or pleated, slimmer cut, paired with knit polo shirts spell the new preppy look.

What are past trends that you love? Despise?

Some of the trends that I have loved and have also been a "victim" of include Bang-Bang jeans, designer jeans (Fiorucci, Calvin Klein, Jordache, Wynners), big shirts or white shirts (a trend before but is a basic item in every man’s wardrobe), preppy, chino pants – late disco era and ’80s.

I despise the "beggar" look of Rei Kawakubo and certain punk looks.

What’s your design philosophy?

Comfort and style. My clothes do not call attention to themselves. They are basic in silhouette and design and use quality fabrics. Clothes should be comfortable and suit the personal style of the owner. Of course, they should be affordable as well. Dennis Lustico
What is your design philosophy?

There are several elements that I consider when I create a dress and the most important of these is proportion. I admire the female form and I always make sure that my pieces will always establish romance with it.

What was your inspiration for this collection?

After a month of brainstorming I settled and decided that I wanted to come up with an all-black collection. I combined that color with my other sources of inspiration like furniture pieces, especially chairs, of the legendary German artist Biedermeier. The infusion of in-lay details in contrasting colors plus the Art Deco-ish feel of his designs are some elements that caught my interest.

Who are your style icons? Do you have a muse?

I love women who defy norms and rules that are set up by too much conventionality – though I also love women who are strict followers of good taste, WASP-y aesthetics and subdued elegance. In the end, women who live and express their true personalities and women who are nonchalant about trends inspire me.

What big trends do you predict for 2007?

It’s tough to answer this question. Trends are trends, nobody can predict next year’s definite look.

Are there any past trends that you love?

Every decade has its own distinctive look. My favorites, though, are vibrant ’70s, rebellious ’80s and its music, the time of Chanel, Dior and Gres.