Whew! What a hectic week! I sat front row on last show of the four day long Manila Fashion Festival (MFF). The Marquee at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel was teeming with designers, fashion enthusiasts, buyers and the press. All of us were there to watch the much talked about fashion spectacle of the year. Aptly entitled “Here is the Now,” the festival’s participating design houses and labels showcased the latest looks from their holiday collections.
The fourth night had the masters taking center stage. Hair expert Lourd Ramos opened the show with models wearing outlandish hairpieces from Aderans. The audience applauded Rhett Eala’s soft and feminine silhouettes, JC Buendia’s apple green and black pairings, and the ornate, layered, and ethnic inspired outfits by Randy Ortiz. The final night’s standout designer, however, was Avel Bacudio. “My 20piece black and white capsule collection is an ode to my past and present,” the fashion maven shared. Houndstooth (which is a two-tone textile pattern of Scottish origin and characterized by broken checks) was the prominent print used. Bacudio sent sporty jackets, sweaters and pants down the runway. Using neoprene, tulle and digital printing, his gowns elicted “oohs”and “ahhs.” My most favorite piece was a black number with a low V neck done in glittery fabric on the chest with layered tulle sleeves. Simply breathtaking!
Congratulations to the organizers of Manila Fashion Festival! The show keeps on getting better and bigger each year.
With a pocketful of glitter,
