Friday, February 15, 2008 Safety first By Clint Holton P. Potestas
STAY on the safe side. Otherwise, you’ll become road kill.
Experimenting on style construction is what most couturiers usually clamor for. By doing so, the designer’s creativity stands out—an indication of fashion keenness. But Cebuano designer William Manahan never walks the plank for a sudden change.
“I do experiment on the materials, but not with styles I am not familiar with. I’d rather be safe, and improve on what I’m good at. Or else, it’d be half-cooked,” he says. But his safe takes on style set are off by his favorite classical inspirations. And he gives birth to them at his atelier along Jakosalem St.
Fashion, according to him, should be functional; something you can easily rework by mixing it with (old) outfits in your closets. “Classic designs can be worn over and over again—until you tire of it—because they are not trendy.” And thus, the approach must be feminine.
Less is more. Though he’s known for his minimalist execution, he still ventures into intricate accents. He picks ribbons and bows to summon femininity with fabrics that give comfort to any body type. “I like to use soft and flowy fabrics. That’s what we call fluidity.” Flaunting a woman’s figure interests him the most.
To achieve his version of fluidity, he utilizes luxurious materials, like charmeuse, gazar, silk chiffon, tulle, and Mikado silk. These fabrics instantly transform into a serpentina: a figure-huging silhouette with a gradual flair, from the knee to the hemline.
For curvy women, he suggests an A-line skirt with embellishments focusing on the mid to the upper portion to create proportions. Also, it directs the eye to the flattering facets of the style.
But then again, an overstatement of style spoils the appetite. “Decide on what you want to feature. Then work on the detail in that area,” he shares.
