Okay, I may be stating the obvious, but sometimes we need to really acknowledge this fact to allow it to sink in. And not only are our designers world class, but so are our artists, our musicians, our entertainers, our writers…in fact, I think a sweeping statement would not be an exaggeration if I said that Filipinos are world class and it’s time we finally owned up to it and stepped up to the plate. No more hemming and hawing, no more apologies, no more false humility.
Yesterday, a Monday, was a very busy day for fashion with a slew of truly world-class designers presenting their collections–Ito Curata showed at Fashion Watch in Shangri-La, Michael Cinco showed at Philippine Fashion Week in SMX, and Oliver Tolentino showed for the first time in Manila at Metrowear Icon in Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
I’m a big fan of both Ito Curata and Michael Cinco’s exemplary creations, but this was my first time to see Oliver Tolentino’s designs. A throwback to a bygone era, his 75-piece collection had a nostalgic Filipino aesthetic combined with a touch of old Hollywood theatricality. And with divas of the ramp, stage and social scene taking to the runway as models, the illusion of Philippine fashion’s grand past being brought into the present was complete.
Some scenes from last night’s event…
*Photos by Ito Ocampo
