Friday, May 23, 2008 Royal fabrics By Clint Holton P. Potestas
FLOWING from the draped, bust area, crepe de Chine was the appropriate fabric for Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, portraying Reina Emperatriz in the annual Santacruzan.
Crepe de Chine or crepe of China is a fine, plain-woven dress fabric with all-silk warp.
Its texture has a slightly crepe character: a feature produced by the use of “filling,” or yarns spun with the twist, running in reverse directions. It’s also known as right-hand and left-hand twist.
“As requested by my client (Yeung), I designed a gown, which is ‘away from the body’,” said Yeung’s fashion designer Cary Santiago.
“I used crepe de Chine to arrive at this design.”
Drawing inspiration from the sampaguita, Santiago creates a white, column dress: a silhouette that is flattering to all body types.
For Arcy Gayatin, the fabric is her most influential inspiration. “What else can I say? I’m always inspired by the fabric,” she said. Gayatin created a serpentina cut using turquoise organdy fabric for Kathrynne Cuizon’s version of Maria Martha.
The fabric’s sheerness and crispness are the result of an acid finish.
Upcoming designer Jehser Yares utilized various compositions of chiffon, such as the high-multi chiffon, and the dominant organza.
“I was inspired by an old, classic dress. Then, I turned it into (a) couture dress with a long tail, and big brooch for focal point,” he explained.
Yares made a terno dress for Kizia Cassandra Tumulak as Reina Samaritana.
Ivory satin was the terno dress for Trina Ting as Reina Libertad. Her designer, Protacio, concentrated on the construction and details.
“It’s a high-waisted, tulip-shaped gown with a skirt embroidered with champagne bias strips,” he said.
