Saturday, July 07, 2007 Large 8: Big 8 in Cebuano Fashion inspired by Big 8 in photography
CURIOUS about the large format prints of abstract photographs by Large 8’s featured photographers? You’ll have to wait until today, Saturday, at the Atrium of the SM City Cebu, when the masterpieces by Pancho Escaler, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Ben Cabrera, Emil Davocol, Jojo Guingona, Quincy Castillo, Bien Bautista and Wig Tysmans are revealed in the final stop of the Large 8 Photo Exhibit.
But to whet your curiousity, here’s a glimpse of clothes executed by the Big 8 of the Fashion Council of Cebu: Philip Rodriguez, Felix Yu, Minnie Yuvienco, Albert Arriba, Ditas Rodriguez, Oj Hofer, Jun Escario and Arcy Gayatin.
Headlining a consolidated effort to institutionalize the burgeoning business of fashion by offering a cohesive platform for designers to address the changing needs of the fashion industry as it evolves, the Fashion Council of Cebu is presently focused on establishing a sustainable training center and a scholarship program to equip dressmakers in developing their skills. It’s goal? To make it known that fashion is not merely a la mode, it is a serious industry.
Thus, it has partnered with SM City Cebu to showcase their skill and level of personal aesthetics in a fashion show of clothes inspired by the individual abstract photographs by Large 8’s group of featured photographers, to coincide with the revelation of the Large 8 masterpieces.
This makes for an unprecedented synergy that is highly-anticipated, and bigger than the sum of its individual parts. The Large 8 photo exhibit unveiling and the fashion show of pieces inspired by them are set for today, at 5:30 in the evening at the SM City Cebu Atrium.
PHILIP RODRIGUEZ
Hailing from a family whose fabric connoisseurship dates back thirty-four years, it is interesting to note that Philip Rodriguez began as a reluctant designer. A fresh graduate of Business Management from the University of the Philippines, he would man their fabric specialty shop and assist clients in choosing fabrics, and eventually execute designs for them. With his innate fine and impeccable taste, he soon established a loyal clientele base.
“Updated classics with fine, interesting details,” Rodriguez says is his forte. His understated line personifies the refined, independent, modern, intelligent and accomplished individual.
Inspired by Pancho Escaler’s Harmonious Chaos, Rodriguez creates a statement of wearable art in this black, white and passionate red gown. A melange of fabrics like dupioni, silk organza, leather, and feathers are used in this gown. Its impact is centered on its harmonious combination of embroidery, appliqué, lazer-cutting, as well as hand and machine work.
OJ HOFER
The Fashion Editor of ZEE for a decade now, designer OJ Hofer has been in the business for 20 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts Major in Visual Communication from UP Diliman and honed his fashion mettle through constant exposure to the changing aesthetics of fashion magazines worldwide.
OJ’s own fashion aesthetic is characterized by minimalism, attracting a clientele whose style requires subtlety and quiet elegance. He counts President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo among his valued clients.
Oj’s fashion creation was inspired by the photo masterpiece of Bien Bautista.
JUN ESCARIO
32-year-old Jun Escario is the creative force that helped shape the fashion landscape in Cebu and will soon be influencing the direction of Philippine fashion itself. He is one of the few Cebuano designers who have risen from the region to gain national recognition for his vision, creative identity, and contribution to Philippine fashion. His designs are characterized by his signature sensuality, verve, and sophistication, and he does his best work with soft, draping fabrics that enhance the wearer’s contours.
“My clothes are sexy, but never gauche; they’re sophisticated without being eccentric; they’re embellished but never too flashy,” he says.
Formerly full-time designer for En Sepia, the premiere Cebu Fashion house in the late ’80s, he began his own house called Bacchus in 1991. In December 2001, he joined The Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode, where he won a special citation for Best Philippine Designer from the French judges.
In 2003, he made the brave move to establish a satellite showroom on Legaspi Street in Makati, the new design studio opened its doors and drew in Manila’s colorful fashion denizens in January 2004.
Today, Escario is a popular figure among Manila’s fashionistas, and is on his way to establishing a niche in Philippine fashion with his signature brand of sensual sophistication.
Jun Escario’s fashion creation was inspired by the photo masterpiece of Wig Tysmans and features an ocean blue taffeta fluff shrug with a serpentine skirt with an exaggerated flare. This is anchored by a nude body suit with brilliant stones that echo the reflection of sunlight on waves.
ARCY GAYATIN
Two decades into the industry, Arcy Gayatin’s design philosophy is dictated by the ceaseless need to achieve the perfect balance between creativity and wearability.
As the thinking woman’s designer, it is but apt that Gayatin considers reading and travelling as two great influences in her growth as a designer.
Cementing her enviable position in the business are innovation and creativity. Her wit, intelligence, broad mindedness and her unwavering passion to continuously learn through reading and experimentation are among her strong points which she applies to her work and art.
Inspired by the photo of BenCab, Arcy Gayatin creates a two piece ensemble composed of a black-and-white hand-mosaic top paired with a black skirt in a mermaid silhouette.
MINNIE YUVIENCO
A graduate of Traphagen Fashion School in Park Avenue, New York City, Minnie Yuvienco has been in the business for more than 20 years. Apart from made-to-order clothes, she manufactures ready-to-wear for her own Best of New York boutiques, one of which is in SM City Cebu.
Red Exuberance of Jaime Zobel De Ayala serves as her inspiration. “This photo abstract to me exudes abundance, high spirits and vitality, vigor and joy. It overflows with luxury.
My interpretation is a design for an elegant and irresistibly feminine woman, a luxurious gown with an original creative touch representing a prestigious successful elite. Clouds of luminous and precious fabrics vibrate in the air and with a pinch of magic, they rest on an attractive and curvilinear silhouette.”
ALBERT ARRIBA
Albert Arriba is a multi-faceted talent. He is not only the premiere beauty stylist in the city, but a recognizable name in fashion as well.
After returning from a prolonged stay in Manhattan, New York, he has honed his talent as a designer such that he is among the few than can actually cut and sew.
Inspired by Quincy Castillo’s photo, Arriba’s creation is made of doupe dyed orange and mustard yellow chiffon. The top is electric-pleated in a monochromatic color, accentuated with a rhinestone strap. At the back is cascading chiffon of the same vibrant color.
FELIX YU
Cebu’s King of Pleats, Felix Yu is a true veteran of the trade, transcending mere design and moving into the making of his own signature fabrics that bear the mark of this master.
His accolades include being one of the prestigious Perlas awardees for his outstanding contributions to Cebuano fashion, and was cited as one of the 38 people who make Cebu.
His unique touch in the long gown will become evident in the show as he is inspired by the photograph of Jojo Guingona.
DITAS RODRIGUEZ
Ditas Rodriguez started designing clothes for herself when she was still in her teens. Apparently, she was the perfect model for her clothes, and soon she opened a boutique to cater to a growing client list who shared her fashion aesthetic.
Her work is marked by elegance, exquisite beadwork, fine lines and articulate stitching. “I create clothes always keeping in mind my client’s personality and preference. I then enhance each design with my own personal touch.”
Inspired by the photograph of Emil Davocol, her creation is stylish and sexy all sewn together in this stunning piece.
