A toile tale

MANILA, Philippines - It was one year ago when this shoot happened. Initially for a special project, it was a way for Carl Jan Cruz to expand our circle of collaborators. We approached our friends, old and new — BJ Pascual, Jo Ann Bitagcol, Omar Ermita, Sari Campos, Bruce Venida and Janine Gutierrez — and together explored new toiles, and paired it with the already existing denims in the collection. 

In this YStyle exclusive, a look back on Carl Jan Cruz a year ago today.

The designer writes, “The project is about perspective: great things take time. It’s incorporating thoughts in this lengthy project of emotions toward Carl Jan Cruz the label, the perspective of putting oneself from a designer to a brand; the perspective of looking at the relationships built around this. Somewhere in the interim, I really feel that the concept of perspective relates so much to where I am, where I am right now, building and landscaping my brand, not only being represented as ‘fashion’ but as a company as well.”

“The shapes are all a repeat of what I have done, as it was a reinterpretation of our concept pieces through out 2014 and now, 2015. A very tight reflection of what has trickled down from my design process.”

A year ago, profusely damping the hair and face was considered a novel styling technique; now it’s démodé. Now we confront the photos as they have passed — through time — and question their relevance, what it means now. We have had many shoots since then, also among friends, with dynamics old and new — seeing the clothes through more pairs of eyes. More than anything, this set reflects a moment: of possibility and earnestness, but also, how some things need to take their time.

Fashion by CARL JAN CRUZ | Photos by BJ PASCUAL

Styled by KAREN BOLILIA | Make up by OMAR ERMITA

of SHU UEMURA | Hair by SARI CAMPOS