SHOULD there be a little over an inch of expansion in my body, I would look like Winnie the Pooh in my #ootn—a model-fit shirt I purchased from the menswear
collection of Yvonne Quisumbing at the 2015 Philippine Fashion Ball.
On this particular cocktail hour, a Saturday, I was sitting in the front row solo, sorrowful on the lost metabolism at this age of fading youth—and the drastic rise of pant size.
I foolishly comforted myself, on the other hand, through the powerful optical illusion of black: the mysterious color often summoned to conceal.
But black seemed to be in opposite to what I saw from the front row, beginning with Bienco Cimafranca’s outfit designed by Forever 21, a cuffed pair of plaid trousers and hoodie he donned on the eighth year fashion show of Glitterati: “Style Take-off” at the Northwing of SM City Cebu last weekend, Aug. 18.
In partnership with Cathay Pacific airline, it showcased the mall’s tenants and Cebu’s upcoming young personalities who were in equal stance and sizes, too, with the professional models on the runway.
Forever 21, historically speaking, is a color magnate.
The brand opened the ready-to-wear partition with trendy hues painted on classic silhouettes. Horizontal stripes (believed to hold a slimming effect) governed the capsule of miniskirts covered up by denim jackets.
T-shirts, also hoodies, and trench coats were among the key items.
The wide leg room was generously distributed all over the series. Kalyka Carcel, for her part in the program, opted for a high-waist cut.
Chloe Go was in a soft off-the-shoulder blouse from Promod, which has released nature-inspired prints.
Either leaves or flights of birds, the shapes were designed in varied sizes in repetitive rhythm.
High-waist skirts and shorts were also common, which means they will be taking over the racks starting next month at the boutique.
Terranova was directed to feature texture and rock star feels, given the motor cross jacket styled with a bottle green shift dress.
Hoodie, yes, but it was worn with tattered jeans and a handful of jogger pants.
Audrey Salimbangon and Craig Uy represented Loalde’s clean-slate-only pieces, the lone Cebuano fashion company in the loop.
In the spirit of comfort, the label’s creative director Nia Durano-Aldeguer delivered a whimsical, yet, crisp execution of classic. Jersey jumpsuit—which could be as easy as a sleepwear —is reconstructed with draping and with just the right amount of fabric drop from the waistline to the hemline.
On a sheath dress were patterns of fluttering butterflies.
Design and technology conglomeration is the secret behind how Loalde embroidered a tic-tac-toe scheme on the velvet dress.
“I was not pressured to change my fashion sense, but I can’t help it, especially I design for the brand every season. I feel like it’s a connection among our customers. I make sure there’s enough fun and flare and a wide variety of sizes for them at any age. That’s how I see myself when I dress up also,” Nia told me.
And if that change happens anytime soon—two inches more in the belly?—I’m sure my friend Yvonne owns a tape measure for this kind of life-changing demand.
