It's a wrap

When YStyle’s resident fashion auteur talks, everyone listens. That seems to be the case when Plains & Prints’ latest model — and this section’s big boss — took it upon herself to do more than primp and pose for the local label. "When I get involved in a brand, I tend to really live and breathe the product until I get obsessed," says Celine Lopez. "That happened with my project with Pepsi and my heady obsession with Bench hair gels that I use up to this day. I don’t usually do a project unless I’m into it — it’s a lot like dating, I guess."

Now her obsession has turned into a design gig for the brand. Celine created a capsule collection of beach cover-ups that could easily transition to casual wear. "A collection of easy-to-wear dresses for summer, you can easily put it over your suit and party or wear it this summer in the city as well" is how she puts it.

"Designed for both the sun and concrete, I chose an earthy palette because I felt it was more elegant and even retro," she explains. "The logo itself is inspired by the work of Alexander Girard, so it has that nostalgic feel to it. I was thinking more of Coney Island in the summer back in the day, rather than the clichéd South of France. I wanted something sweet, fun, interesting and different. I mean, I can imagine everyone looking like sorbet cones on the beach; I wanted something more low-key and stylish without being too out there. The designs are subtle and are meant to go with anything!"

The cover-ups range from sunny, striped tank dresses with side slits along the torso to long-sleeved wraps in cheery yellow, cut down the front to expose a tasteful amount of décolleté or a bathing suit print. Though inspired by films, there are some subtle references to fashion’s big trends: swirly, Pucci-inspired prints; white-on-white textured embellishment that drew raves from Phillip Lim’s spring collection; and a wearable mix of colors and prints exemplified by Balenciaga.

While her own personal cover-up closet might consist of a madcap mix of eclectic patterns and excessive beading, Celine toned it down for the Plains & Prints collection — making a point to balance fabrics and embellishments to create chic ensembles that are at once sporty yet stylish. "I used to ask couture designers to make me cover-ups," she adds. "So I looked sort of odd wearing beads and layers of chiffon on the beach during the day. Good stuff, though."

With a history of dressing up chronicled in almost every local mag, Celine proves that there’s more to making clothes than slashing fabric and tossing sequins haphazardly on a frock. "Doing suits made me realize what people need and how to accommodate those needs in the most stylish way possible. The cover-ups are not just for the princess but for the sports enthusiast or the laid-back Mojito monger." A swimsuit-designing stint for her own currently extinct label Loungeri Luxe taught her more than a couple of classes at Parsons ever could. (And FYI, Celine took up fashion at the NY Institute a few years back).

"I designed the cover-ups so that most body types can wear it without worry," she says. "It’s one-size-fits-all so you and your friends can share it even! I thought of comfort above everything else. Some designs might look sort of intimidating for the beach but I promise it’s been tried and tested by me. I’m pretty neurotic about these things."

For the Boracay-staple and sand-lover, dressing up for water isn’t as simple as it looks. "I like dressing up for the beach, a place where everyone is aching to show off the results of their eating disorders and insane hours in the gym," she explains with a laugh. "I find a certain elegance in covering up with good things."

And those good things just happen to include some of her creations. "This collection is perfect for the Easter break and the rest of summer when the fashion showdown happens. And it’s easily changed with accessories. So it’s good for day and night. The best part is, it’s affordable!"

The wanderlusting fashionista, who jets off to a chic destination practically every quarter, is automatically drawn to sand and surf — which might explain why her first foray into ready-to-wear features beach gear. "My love affair with the ocean will never cease." The same could be said of fashion.

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Plains & Prints is located at Glorietta, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Megamall, Eastwood City and Ayala Center Cebu.