Bang Pineda: Show of power
MANILA, Philippines - Bang bang” were the words on the suitcase of Bang Pineda’s assassin-themed gala a few years back, in a bid to reinforce the playful nature of his name. This time he brings the party back to his hometown, Pampanga, and showcases his trademark mixed tailoring and sportswear ensembles.
His collection highlights the fourth presentation under Men’s Week, a part of Style Origin, under the collaborative efforts between Ayala Malls, Philippine STAR, and Tiger 22, supported by Visa, Globe and Samsung, that showcases the fusion of modern design, music and style.
Pineda, who is a just as successful as a celebrity stylist as he is a fashion designer, shows off his 14-year experience in menswear by showing a repertoire of six capsule collections, each distinct and expressive of possibilities in menswear. His take on digital print suits inspired by abstract paintings have a certain “nowness” that makes us think Pineda’s eye is looking to Europe with his brave use of color on otherwise classic menswear cuts. He also likes to look back at previous motifs, like with the use of polka-dots which are now smaller and more tempered (with greater wearability) especially with the clever use of gradient on a suit jacket, or the sporty version with dark solid sleeves. Likewise, his neons and grays are iterations of the basic Pineda sporty-tailored forms like the zipper vest (can be zipped up or let loose like a scarf) or more importantly the zipper suit that cuts through suit panels. Another capsule ties in nicely with the one before it comes with the white cut-outs over bright neon which, according to Pineda, are culled from the funnel effect of the Guggenheim Museum — the roundness taken over by boxy panels and hardened rope harness on a skeletal frame reminiscent of the padded shape of the football uniform. As a finale, his last capsule latches into a fragmented vision of the future, by way of tailored tops and shirts with mirror cutouts matched with nylon bottoms.
Throughout the entire collection, Pineda proves his mettle in tailoring and use of color that balances the symmetrical elements of some of his pieces. His strengths come from his attention to detail, as he keeps other elements toned down, never letting the orange go over-the-top — things that are testament to his discipline as a designer. Yet he does not alienate his audience, and even with unbridled creative outflow of visual images, he keeps to his trademark mixed tailoring with a vibrant and youthful vibe.
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Men’s Week is a project under Style Origin, a collaborative effort between Ayala Malls, Philippine STAR and Tiger 22, supported by Visa, Globe and Samsung. On May 19, designers Regine Dulay, James Reyes and Rhett Eala will be presenting their collections at Alabang Town Center, 6 p.m.
