Friday, November 07, 2008 Fall in line By Clint Holton P. Potestas
FALL in line, please. It’s now our turn.
Talking to Monique Lhuillier, magazine editor Anton San Diego nodded to the idea that Filipinos take fashion seriously: one can identify between a silk georgette and a silk gazaar. However, originality doesn’t come along with it.
On the brighter side, though, Cebuano designer Dexter Alazas asserts it is our turn to go global.
“I’m inspired to reinvent the Filipiniana in a more Cebuano way of dressing: laid back, relaxed, kind of a resort feel to it. I’m hoping to continue and promote that not just to the Filipinos but more so to the world; thus, we can show what we are as a culture,” says Dexter who works in his own atelier in East Capitol Site.
“I did a lot of long and slinky silhouettes before. Then I progressed to body conscious formals. But now it’s all about the Cebu lifestyle that’s fit for the climate and speaks about our heritage, making it a part of our wardrobe, like the little black dress,”
Dexter’s latest collection, Linea Sugbuana (Cebuana Line), gives birth to the concept of casual non-conformist.
Clothes that are easy on the skin but have painstaking details dominate in this latest series, or so dubbed as prêt-a-porter or read-to-wear outfits.
Diane Von Furstenberg might give him a round of applause for creating a series of wrap-around dress inspired by the Filipino tapis
According to him, his version of the sarong and the panuelo is versatile, forgiving of any body type.
From couture pieces, he now ventures on utilizing separates (skirts, pants, tops) that resemble the patadjong, a Filipino
customary fashion.
Passing out an eclectic mix are luxurious fabrics such as silk chiffon, soft tulle, and raw silk.
Hues range from bold to neutral that could be appropriate for any occasion. Common are beige, cream, salmon, sand, and a rich tandem of gray and gold.
“I have fabric cut-out techniques, beading, embroidery, and crochet—all done by hand to promote the industry that has been part of the early roots of fashion where it all began. “
“By that, I wanted to promote backyard industries that needed to be revived and relived at the same time,” explains Dexter.
Crossing boundaries isn’t a surprise for Filipino talents. Josie Natori brought her clothes to Vogue magazine pictorials.
Monique Lhuillier sews and drapes weddings for Hollywood figures. But it is the faith, much like Dexter’s, that keeps the ball rocking.
In the meantime, the Filipino street expression goes on: “Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.”
