The power in numbers

WHAT is the quotient of four divided by 41? Consider the possibilities in this simple show of solution.

Yesterday, 10 of the 41 fashion designers unfurled their latest collection at the 9th Panasonic Fashion Festival at the Marquee Tent of Edsa Shangri-La, presented by Art Personas. In the four-day run (Oct. 16 to Oct. 19), a nod to the theme “Shape, Form, Movement,” the venue will be mechanized into a fashion camp for the style leaders from the Philippines, Laos, Japan, Korea, and Australia.

Among those who opened the shows was Jun Escario’s “1972”: “A collection inspired from the MOD in the 70s.”

Fellow Cebuanos are flying in, too. On the third day, Dexter Alazas will present a half-couture-half-cruise series of garments in a lineup he calls “Fus’ion.”

On closing day, the rest from Cebu will be marching in. Marichu Tan—the lone rose among the thorns —may interpret this idiom in her floral embroideries on bright, textured silk rayon. Protacio joins her, too, along with Oj Hofer and Philipp Tampus.

“At the Stroke of Midnight” sounds like visual art combined with poetry, a Steph Tan rendition of the rainforest at midnight.

Over-the-edge reconstruction, in. But how about a mind play?

“Deconstruction and construction in denim and cords. The very concept of this collection came from the idea of a chess game,” says Renan Pacson, who is poised to launch it tonight.

Or, Hollywood, baby, “Greaser culture with a contemporary setting was in mind—cowboy shirting, Betty Page bustier, Wanda Jackson rhinestones and shimmer, Johnny Cash attitude were fused to come up with this collection,” shares Chris Diaz who opens for the second day.

Hailing from Davao, Egay Ayag offers an homage to the 11 tribes of his hometown, tomorrow, and names the collection “Urog,” a local language referring to movement.

Perhaps, it could mean the shorter haul.

As in the case of Veejay Floresca last night—I want to give myself a break from creating clothes that are over-the-top.”

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