Embroidered Gowns.Sculptured Bodices.Voluminous Skirts
Highly Crafted, Haute Stitched.....
Ezra Santos' fashion chronicles maturity in over-the-top creations revealing luxe exuberance that defy definition or easy stereotyping. Embedded in the magnificent chaos are striking clues about the way the designer thinks and works.
The STYLEMONGER attempts to reveal the "genius" of Dubai's fashion arena...on his first solo show.
My senses are still reeling from the assault of colours, dazzling images and glamorous silhouettes when a suggestive explosion shaped on a hanger that catches the eye...a sign.. a revelation, that writing something about him is to return to his style sanctum.
"In the Beginning" collection showcased at Jowhara Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, April 27, 2010 is his personal favourites from his narrative style journey, his struggles, his angst, his emotional quotients.
The show opener-cum- show stopper bomb-blast serpentine long trail blazing "terno-isque" gown in reptile prints lined with deep blue degradation to verdant green Swarovski crystals. With high octane fast beat music and zero-fault choreography by Kevin Oliver, came a fervid imagination transforming the female body into an Edenic figurative snake symbol of a Temptress holding a crystallized swarovksi apple, in a forest teeming with flamboyant pink trees, imaginative butterflies and riotiously coloured flowers.
Then came the butterfly sleeves collection, flaunted ensembles in architectural vituosity, a revolutionized version of the "holier- than- thou" national dress of the Philippines, conceptually edgier with a futuristic accent on metallics, geometrics and optical illusion
....for these alone...EZRA SANTOS achieved his long cherished dream challenge, that I could proudly say others dared not to...the temptation of catching and taming the butterflies of Eden, alas, he did it!!!! I was dumbfounded and humiliated.......
The wealthy innate talent of the designer hit me with enormous surprise (or shock) value of his creations which were sights to behold. What makes that mind tick? Where does he find inspiration? How does he translate his amazing ideas into sure-shot ramp sizzlers?....only EZRA could tell!!!!My journalistic imperative to find a ‘story’, a pattern and a rationale in Ezra Santos is predictably at odds with instinct to defy labeling.His work is individualistic and something that is not easy for others to achieve, crossing bounderies from mere tailors to leading purveyors, Ezra Santos is udoubtly a cut above the rest.
The theme he chooses for a collection could be anything that fascinates him at a given point, exploring new grounds. The work process testifies to a method in his own style coming out with utmost audacity to create something fabulous, stunning and uber luxurious.
Then came the the glamorous part of the show- the essence of being Ezra, the style architect and conjurer of anything but fabulousness, his forte- haute couture.
photo credit:Eros GozeUsing the lucid and difficult to handle materials like satin duchess, pure faille and taffeta, he masterfully crafted interesting pieces which formed the basic definition of his career.
Gowns were precise in drapes, accurate in fits and crafted to the last minute details.The splurging of Swarovski brillants and diamants satiated his high -end clients dream of glitters and translucent display of excess luxury..almost ethereal and impalpable.
As the iredescent dream comes to an end, I conclude Ezra Santos is an intriguing study in contrasts. The manner is down to earth but the ambition is soaring. The imagination runs wild and unfettered but there is complete mastery over form and structure.
The elements are muted and subdued, but the interpretations are chic, witty and intelligent. Even the lurid colours have a language and an inherent creative logic of their own.
EZRA SANTOS deserves to be Dubai's Fashion Czar...and beyond.
Photo Credits: Eros Goze & Chefmico Gallegues
