IT was time for Davao fashion designers to shine anew as they joined the Panasonic Manila Fashion Festival Season 8 held at the Marquee Tent of Edsa Shangri-la Manila last April 10-13, 2018.
The Davao designers shared centerstage with Cebu designers on the fourth day of the fashion festival.
Featured were Aztec Barba, Edgar Buyan, Dodjie Batu, Benjie Panizales, Windell Mira, Bamba Limon, Emi Englis, Egay Ayag, and Bea Abrigo, who each brought out a collection that focused each designer's mastery of the cloth and details.
"It was a long overdue opportunity to present a fashionable statement for Davao and Mindanao which is not only widely inspired by our culture, heritage and identity, but also market-driven and globally connected," said Emi Englis, Assistant Program Dean - Fine Arts and Interior Design of the Philippine Women's College of Davao.
Englis' "The Circle is not Round" collections presented round and egg-shaped elements with rounded skirts highlighted by a keen attention to draping and tailoring that went without the frills, pushing the creativity level of minimalist designs. "Unabashed femininity and unapologetic androgyny” is what his designs are all about.
"That was an exciting beginning for all the best and more the future holds for Davao and Mindanao fashion having established now our working niche and presence. We hope that this somehow will convince our government and other cooperators to help us strengthen our creative industries and empower more talents to bring to the fore these boundless potentials," Englis added.
Limon's Denimania used the denim and made this everyday garment fashion-worthy with bold colors and beadwork. There is a southern vibe to his collection brought out by the details in each wearable designs.
Mira, meanwhile, presented "Rhythm" drumming up geometric patterns inspired by the Badjao's mat. The colors worn with plain whites in fun boxy cuts make you want to romp around with them this summer.
Batu presented "Chiaruscuro" with a minimalist palette of white, gray, and black made into elegant whole by tailoring and ethnic highlights.
Buyan's "Kataw", on the other hand, is described as for “the millennial with a heart for artisanal heritage and culture.” There are prints and layers, and a lot of fun with seaters, oversized tops, tunics, and button downs. Quirky, fun, and totally wearable.
Panizales presented the "Reckless Vagabond" had black and white pieces with distinct geometric designs and lace cut-ups highlighting the contrasts in the dresses, flare pants, and tops.
Refreshing to the eyes are Bea Abrigo's resort wear that played with stripes and geometric prints, just looking through them makes you want to hie on off to the beach and sashay with her designs.
Barba, meanwhile, went for dresses and evening wear with focus on the neckline. Victorian-inspired evening wear for ladies, the collection is something you would want to have and wear as the muted elegance could definitely earn a lot of appreciative looks.
Ayag's "Al Qatl: War to Peace" are black and white contemporary pieces that are crisp and yet easy on the eyes.
As its press release says, "PMFF 8 embraced innovation and championed a more elaborate take on presenting trends."
PMFF envisions to be the fashion destination in Southeast Asia, and it delivered this vision in the four-day event that also featured Manila's best: Anthony Ramirez, Jaz Cerezo, Rosbert Villar, Steph Tan, Rob Ortega, Cheetah Rivera, Martin Bautista, ESME, Veejay Floresca, Patricia Santos, KC Pusing, Wilbur Lang, Jinggay Serag, Harvic Dominguez, Rica Rico, Naoki, Dak Bonite, Daryl Maat, Chris Diaz, and Yong Davalos, the SoFA Design Institute Graduation Show 2018, and Cebu designers Jun Escario, Dexter Alazas, Philipp Tampus, Protacio, Marichu Tan, OJ Hofer, Mike Yapching, and Philip Rodriguez.