Faux leather, fantasy horns and ladylike details for dress up

MANILA, Philippines - Perhaps one of the more anticipated shows this season was the one of comeback kid Yvonne Quisimbing. And rightly so, for her sophomore show after a long hiatus showed every bit of her trademark whimsical- meets-organic-meets macabre. Along with her delicate aesthetic came an unusual accessory in collaboration with her friend the artist Nikki Luna: painted horns infused with berries, puffy flowers and netting — a cross between a fascinator and a crown that a forest nymph would adore. This time, Yvonne went the structured route with pencil skirts and long, sleeveless tops topped with a heavily embellished collar as well as fluid skirts and blouses that sway as you walk. Apart from the usual muted palette, she injected red and black pieces that could pass as her most mainstream work yet, albeit still very well thought out. It wouldn’t be Yvonne without a bit of shock factor, so apart from the headgear, she showcased the half pant where one leg is stripped of fabric and the other a full-length. Not the most commercial move but as a whole it served as a bridge connecting art and the mainstream. Sassa Jimenez’s take on faux leather was ambitious as it was unusual a choice given our very un-leather- friendly climate. Nevertheless, it was a bold move and some pieces were actually wearable (ideally in 20 degrees and below). The minimalist dresses and jumpsuits were interesting with a Jetsons kind of vibe. She could have done away with the harness chest topper, which only distracted the streamlined silhouette. Due to the thickness of the fabric, the stitching wasn’t the most polished, leaving the edges bulky. Still, snaps should be given for ingenuity and innovation. Raoul Ramirez made a surprising turn to ladylike this season with classic black and white separates a Park Avenue princess would consider as her uniform. Shift dresses, prim skirts and modestly cut tops spelled Parisian chic complete with hand-painted flowers on the skirts. The tailoring was exceptional, perfectly fitted and modern — just how an alpha female’s clothes should be.