the emotional First Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011

Even whilst a wide-eye designer in Dubai, I always look to Philippines for vis-a-vis fashion movements. Mindanao Island never seemed to be part of the race as a Fashion Capital, sure lots of fashion designers hailed from there, some have fashion houses, others make a shift to Manila/Cebu, and most found their niche abroad. But no discounting the fact that most of us welcomed the first Mindanao Fashion Summit , a new platform from the South with its promising rawness and hyperactive energy first. Mindanao is known for its beautiful expansive landscape, banana and pineapple plantations, rich seafood sources like tuna, tiger prawns and mackerels...and little did we know that it also produces brilliant minds in the field of fashion. Cagayan de Oro-the SUMMIT's venue gives off an adventurous vibe the moment you set foot in it; you always come across people smiling and willing to accept new challenges, their tryst for newness.

The creative chaos on the first fashion summit reflects the high octane excitement amongst the participating designers from the city of Cagayan de Oro and its neighboring cities of Davao and Cotabato. Supporters from Iloilo and Manila like the award winning FREDERICK PERALTA shared the runway as his way of reaching out and brotherhood to his comrades in the industry.

The Philippine's Fashion Maestro- the highly venerable Monsieur Chrisitian Espiritu was the Summit's Most Important Person as he epitomized the country's High Priest in Haute Couture, sharing some little notes and advices to Mindanao's next "Espiritu" in the future.

Manila's topnotch sartorial designer Ronaldo Arnaldo took some special moments in his busy schedules to attend the summit and do some bonding from his new found friends from the south.

It would be naive, if we thought that creativity and fashion was the only selling point, Mindanao had to offer. Nowhere else are the points of views more diverse and emotional to this new "baby" of the fashion cities, it is in the making as one most inspiring cities to be "IN". While the city may have the pool of creative brains, Mindanaoans all over the globe poured in their full support in the next fashion summit. Mindanao has heart.

The summit embodied its first "taste" to all that is chic and trendy in fashion, it is an "alternative side" for the time being aside from Cebu and the capital Manila....but there is more to it than just meets the eye....Mindanaoans felt abandoned and being left behind. The urge to be recognized, to earnmarked its presence is an ULTIMATE HIGH on the agenda. The new words: FAST TRACK/ DOUBLE TIME. They had their firsts. They are resilient people, Love PEOPLE..patience is the best quality of Mindanaoans. Surviving turmoils from the 70's, uncertainties of the 80's...bullets and fear on high noon...they survived...BRAVE and standin up High.

The city breathed fashion as the Summit staged its first runway show. Fashionistas, journalists,photographers revel in with no bats an eyelid while designers prepared on backstage their own brand of sartorial energy and adventure. They tweaked it, hemmed, steamed and did the last miracles, the mantras must be done. The future Czars and Czarinas of Chic battled and created magic with individual wand of self expression and personal fashion statement.

Their clothes created a cornucopia of colors, a discussion of ever changing definitions in designs and silhouettes...their individual platform and their dream, the the much sought light at the end of the tunnel.

the emotional First Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011

Even whilst a wide-eye designer in Dubai, I always look to Philippines for vis-a-vis fashion movements. Mindanao Island never seemed to be part of the race as a Fashion Capital, sure lots of fashion designers hailed from there, some have fashion houses, others make a shift to Manila/Cebu, and most found their niche abroad. But no discounting the fact that most of us welcomed the first Mindanao Fashion Summit , a new platform from the South with its promising rawness and hyperactive energy first. Mindanao is known for its beautiful expansive landscape, banana and pineapple plantations, rich seafood sources like tuna, tiger prawns and mackerels...and little did we know that it also produces brilliant minds in the field of fashion. Cagayan de Oro-the SUMMIT's venue gives off an adventurous vibe the moment you set foot in it; you always come across people smiling and willing to accept new challenges, their tryst for newness.

The creative chaos on the first fashion summit reflects the high octane excitement amongst the participating designers from the city of Cagayan de Oro and its neighboring cities of Davao and Cotabato. Supporters from Iloilo and Manila like the award winning FREDERICK PERALTA shared the runway as his way of reaching out and brotherhood to his comrades in the industry.

The Philippine's Fashion Maestro- the highly venerable Monsieur Chrisitian Espiritu was the Summit's Most Important Person as he epitomized the country's High Priest in Haute Couture, sharing some little notes and advices to Mindanao's next "Espiritu" in the future.

Manila's topnotch sartorial designer Ronaldo Arnaldo took some special moments in his busy schedules to attend the summit and do some bonding from his new found friends from the south.

It would be naive, if we thought that creativity and fashion was the only selling point, Mindanao had to offer. Nowhere else are the points of views more diverse and emotional to this new "baby" of the fashion cities, it is in the making as one most inspiring cities to be "IN". While the city may have the pool of creative brains, Mindanaoans all over the globe poured in their full support in the next fashion summit. Mindanao has heart.

The summit embodied its first "taste" to all that is chic and trendy in fashion, it is an "alternative side" for the time being aside from Cebu and the capital Manila....but there is more to it than just meets the eye....Mindanaoans felt abandoned and being left behind. The urge to be recognized, to earnmarked its presence is an ULTIMATE HIGH on the agenda. The new words: FAST TRACK/ DOUBLE TIME. They had their firsts. They are resilient people, Love PEOPLE..patience is the best quality of Mindanaoans. Surviving turmoils from the 70's, uncertainties of the 80's...bullets and fear on high noon...they survived...BRAVE and standin up High.

The city breathed fashion as the Summit staged its first runway show. Fashionistas, journalists,photographers revel in with no bats an eyelid while designers prepared on backstage their own brand of sartorial energy and adventure. They tweaked it, hemmed, steamed and did the last miracles, the mantras must be done. The future Czars and Czarinas of Chic battled and created magic with individual wand of self expression and personal fashion statement.

Their clothes created a cornucopia of colors, a discussion of ever changing definitions in designs and silhouettes...their individual platform and their dream, the the much sought light at the end of the tunnel.

RONALDO ARNALDO: REIGN SUPREME- Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2011

Ronaldo Arnaldo's Spring/ Summer  collection at the Philippine Fashion Week 2011 was like early morning breeze with blooming freshness of flowers in spring . The delicate fabrics done in minimalist designs provided that sexy feminine look to his collection.

As Arnaldo's signature, he  included dash of  other colors like yellows, reds and cobalt blues. The models took over the ramp with his mesmerizing feminine collection comprising of simple dresses in white with contemporary cuts and insertions of stripes.

Wearable and clean, the stunning designer pieces of  floaty dresses with trendy long skirts, provided the feeling of quite glamor, this designer emphasized heavily on the comfort factor of the garments.

Ronaldo Arnaldo is well known for his simple yet attractive clothing lines which are high on value and seductive quotient. Unlike other designers he preferred his garments to hang comfortably around the body instead of body hugging/tight fitting clothes. He used free flowing fabrics like crisp cotton, light translucent linens and stripe satin duchess.

Stunning silhouette, long lean white skirt with tails, slide neckline  blouses, deep shoveled armholes, low back and front necklines, were some types of garments he presented. In evening wear he glamorized the A-line tubular silhouettes with matte stones as arm blings. The ranges of colors choosed by him for his collection were grey, black, pale yellow, red and white, thus the colors were also sober and subtle.

Arnaldo's maturity in high tailoring and mastery in controlled silhouettes separates him from neophytes, wannabes, newbies and mere tailors.

photo credits: KESTER DEE

THANKS to MAGONLINE.COM

RONALDO ARNALDO: REIGN SUPREME- Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2011

Ronaldo Arnaldo's Spring/ Summer  collection at the Philippine Fashion Week 2011 was like early morning breeze with blooming freshness of flowers in spring . The delicate fabrics done in minimalist designs provided that sexy feminine look to his collection.

As Arnaldo's signature, he  included dash of  other colors like yellows, reds and cobalt blues. The models took over the ramp with his mesmerizing feminine collection comprising of simple dresses in white with contemporary cuts and insertions of stripes.

Wearable and clean, the stunning designer pieces of  floaty dresses with trendy long skirts, provided the feeling of quite glamor, this designer emphasized heavily on the comfort factor of the garments.

Ronaldo Arnaldo is well known for his simple yet attractive clothing lines which are high on value and seductive quotient. Unlike other designers he preferred his garments to hang comfortably around the body instead of body hugging/tight fitting clothes. He used free flowing fabrics like crisp cotton, light translucent linens and stripe satin duchess.

Stunning silhouette, long lean white skirt with tails, slide neckline  blouses, deep shoveled armholes, low back and front necklines, were some types of garments he presented. In evening wear he glamorized the A-line tubular silhouettes with matte stones as arm blings. The ranges of colors choosed by him for his collection were grey, black, pale yellow, red and white, thus the colors were also sober and subtle.

Arnaldo's maturity in high tailoring and mastery in controlled silhouettes separates him from neophytes, wannabes, newbies and mere tailors.

photo credits: KESTER DEE

THANKS to MAGONLINE.COM

Philippine Fashion Week/Holiday 2010: Going Local or Gearing Global

  Michael Cinco's Madame Butterfly Collection

Every year, the Philippine Fashion Week puts us in a existential dilemma – is there life after fashion? Is there life in fashion. Especially our new crop of NextGen fashion designers, who were participating the event in full force, are now besieged by the truth behind cutting edges and shimmering satin duchess. In one week, we have read more than we possibly could about the high spirited Philippine fashion, written with a new found delicacy for words such as embellishments, craftsmanship, sensibility, pinoy oeuvre…. Fair enough. 

Oscar V. Go- showing off a bright future in his contemporary slim silhouette


We are all developing and honing skills that will allow us to explain fashion’s ‘pinoy-sensibility’ to a world looking at us with renewed zest. But this year both designers and writers grappled and grappled hard to tell their own story. Philippine Fashion Week after several years, emerged as the new Mecca of designs and arts showcase of Filipino talents and a fashion run of veterans as well as the neophytes in the fashion industry.

John Herrera's controlled elegance in Beige Gown


Living up to its cultural heritage and blending the modern with the traditional, the Filipino fashion designers are waiting to be noticed by the glamoratti. PFW 2010 ferrets out the designers behind the most compelling collections and unearths an artistic haven of design and aesthetic excellence. But as the drama of the week-long event unfolded, the participating designers struggled to find an individualistic voice. Where the designers were concerned, there was more drama on the ramp than there is in a spring carnival. Where in some, the theatricality of a ramp show worked for their benefit, in others it was a simple cry for help. Leafing through all the fashion fodder that emerged out of Fashion Week, it’s interesting to see where mere terminology stopped and fashion rhetoric began. 

Cherry Samuya Veric's Turquoise ruffled Gown in naked bodice with appliques


There were big (and unfounded) accusations thrown in the air by people who were armed with little less than the information from international shows. So we saw some designers accused of ripping off Alexander McQueen, a spectator declared, "I am not here to watch a McQueen rip-off!!!".

Kermit Tesoro's Avant Garde Collection


Unless a conscious effort is made and constructive criticism is employed, the media’s important role to help develop an entire industry and take it to global levels will be undermined. To sustain the interest levels and ensure continuous participation from local and international Filipino designers, participants need to fast forward to the future rather than play catch-up, observed some style critics from the industry. 

Benjie Pascual: Shimmering Black Gown with voluminous cape collar


Several years of good performances is a good juncture for the major events at the Philippine Fashion Week (PFW) to deliberate on how to build on to a more strong agenda, a foundation of designers,buyers, media – all need to collectively decide on the path forward so that this event, which is organised to world class standards, will become an important fixture in the global fashion calendar. 

Kaye Morales Book leaf magenta ensemble with embroidered tapes on the bodice


The only disturbing aspect has been the ongoing economic crunch, other than that major obstacle, the Filipino designers unique talents attract attentions.

Ronaldo Arnaldo's Trendy Chic


Great effort and support for the fashion week is needed to develop an entire fashion industry and take it to global levels. There are so many talented designers showing here and a promising crop of GenNext and Emerging Designers.

Nicky Martinez in Black slim gown with tribal embroidery matched with hanging beads on shoulder


They have given Philippine Fashion Week 2010 a boost and they all deserve the support of the entire fashion community.

Noel Llave's white trendy and avant gardish collection


So how does that affect the PFW? ....the fashion week needs a ‘fashion critic’ board who can properly place the Pinoy collections in context, in this country, right now and tell it like it is. And sometimes just say ‘No!’ There are designers here who will benefit more from a critical review than a compliment. They need someone to say ‘No…don’t do that’. Don’t send that out. No, edit the collection better. No, those shoes are all wrong…you don’t need the huge handbag. The ruffle is unnecessary. The fabric is being tortured…. Stop! The stylists brought in have made huge contributions, but they can only take it so far. The designers need counsel and advice long before PFW. ‘No’ is just not a word used often enough here, to help the designers.

Philip Tampus' uber luxe wine red ruffled Gown with seamless Bodice
PHOTO CREDITS: STYLEBIBLE.PH