CHILHOOD afternoons are woven with memories of skies parted by sunrise, or rain-washed cracks on the pavement.
The rainy season is here, and there’s no telling when it would go away. You can soak wet under the downpour. Or stay dry under the tin roof. Or listen as it whispers and rattles and hisses against the window pane.
What goes up must come down, like the oft-repeated cycle of the rain—and like the eternal revival of fashion ideas.
An all-in-one artist (painter, make-up artist, designer, stylist) hidden under the label Valentina Danger (VD) sets up a few pieces for both men and women who still brave the rain, and walk in the open without soaking wet.
His ability to turn up the beat among the basic apparels for rain would certainly earn the nod from buyers, who want to put a little fun in their wardrobe.
For this spread, he started with jackets worn over ruffled skirts. Then it was followed by stretchable pieces such as jersey trousers and cardigan. The men? He’d like to see them in dark city shorts, in earth-tone numbers or yet again, the black-on-black styling. Well, the ladies can be overdressed in knitted cover-ups and scarves.
VD seemed to veer into an ironic direction by introducing a pair of soft and tailored pieces, which could be paired with denim, leather, and lace. Cotton can be easy on the skin.
Silhouettes ranged from baby doll to granny, with waistlines below the bust or dropped down to the hips, and there were asymmetrical hems aplenty.
In case you didn’t make a chic connection in your overall look, take a hint from VD.
He accessorized most looks with that flapper favorite: a long, ropey necklace trimmed with a tassel. For after dark gigs—those ‘20s babies loved their sequins—VD had sequins in heaps, studding mesh tunics, tap pants, and tank dress in eye-catching geometric arrangements.
VD’s girls are usually accessorized to the hilt. This time, the lack of add-ons allowed for closer inspection of the clothes themselves, and this season there are some knockouts.
An iridescent midnight-blue wrap dress puffed out below the waist, right on trend.
Equally “in the moment” were the striped wool jacket, and knickers worn with a ruffle-front ivory blouse. Meanwhile, his take on dresses will make you wish for the days when Boho was the biggest thing.
Featured in this story are excerpts of the photo exhibit called Rain. Taken at Joseph P. Ong’s own studio, Fotoholic, it will be in public view until July 19 at the Ayala Activity Center, also the event’s major partner.
Stimulate your senses—sight, touch, smell—with images captured by this fashion photographer, who has keenly maneuvered the lights to mimic the rain cloud and the lilacs wet and brushed.