Lunar charms

WHEN emotions, good or bad, strike to overwhelm, or when questions do not leave one alone, a common gesture—though not deliberately done often—is to look up and gaze thoughtfully at that prominently luminous object in the sky.

When worries cloud the wits, eyes (commonly known as the window to the soul) tend to dart their way up where something round shines brilliantly in the night. The soul probably longs for some enlightenment. Consciously or otherwise, the mind seems to seek refuge in the promising radiance it gives, no matter how foreign, unknown and unreachable to the human hand it may be.

Yes, despite all effort to explore and understand it, the moon has always posed a puzzling and mystical impression on man. Hence, out of curiosity many beliefs have been raised by man in an attempt to have something to grasp about the moon while contemplating on the wonders and possibilities it could give.

Some of those most fascinated with the moon are the Chinese—why, during the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar, they celebrate a festival in its honor. Some would call it the Mid-Autumn Festival or Zhonqiu Festival or simply the Moon Festival.

For that very reason, Live! solicited some striking works of art in line with fashion, courtesy of designer Barbie Alvez to take part in the festivity. She offers a four-piece collection of Chinese enthused outfits (the cheongsam).

“These Chinese-inspired garbs were originally made in last year’s resort wear portion for the Ms Cebu pageant,” Barbie shared while explaining it was the theme then. The characteristic set includes dresses, a coat, a matching top and bottom wears.

The innovative designer likes to believe that the concept was basically to serve an updated look of what would otherwise remain to be “your typical Chinese dress or a modernized version, if you must say.”

Needless to say, by the looks and air the ensembles exude, these are mostly apt to be worn at events where the required attire is “chic Asian impression.” These ideas are also good for costume parties, should one want to dress up as a reserved yet sophisticated Chinese woman at the same time.

Barbie chose to use interesting materials such as dull (oh, not so dull!) charmeuse satin and Chinese printed silks. Somewhat modestly, she shared there was no particularly fancy technique done on the construction, but rather she employed the
“usual and basic pleating and shirring of some parts of the dresses.”

One of the most catchy and classy frocks is a tandem of mini dress and textured coat.

The sensuality of the gray mini is well contrasted by the coat made of Chinese patterns with matching gray pleated cuffs. Unlike the other three pieces, this plays a little deviant from the traditional Chinese clothing style.

On the other hand, not straying too far from the standard are two short dresses, as they both flaunt high and closed collars. In so far as commonality is concerned, both are also championing a beautiful blend of brown and bronze. The difference is visible though, through the pattern of button placements; one has it at one side while the other has it at the center.

The last is a two-piece number that also displays the distinctive Chinese collar. It glows appealingly through its gold mini skirt partnered with blouse that has a matching gold-tiered short sleeves and buttons tactfully situated at the center.

The Moon Festival is known to be one of the most celebrated events in the Chinese calendar. By tradition, it is done during the harvest season when the moon is at its fullest and brightest inviting families and friends to gather, dance, feast and admire the moon.

Today, the idea of doing the same should neither sound corny nor old-fashioned. How wonderful it would be to watch the moon reign gloriously in the night sky. And what better way to do that than by being groomed appropriately in any of these lunar charms?