Day 3: Iloilo Designers Week

(Visit my recap of days 1 and 2 here.)

The third day of IDW S/S 2013 left me feeling a bit emotionally stirred - partly because it was kind of awkward watching people who are not supermodels storm the ramp. At one point in the event my friend and I agreed on the Philippines being a very commercial country. Anyway, it's the designer's call and we should just respect that. I think it was somehow a breather.

Again I won't be focusing on the crazy things (I exaggerate) we do backstage, so here is my list of favorite designers for the day:

• Paul Conte is the very definition of classy. I say that, but his collection is far from the typical conservative lady look. His bead work falls in elegantly with the way he placed the sheer element in his dresses.
• Poli Abastillas - It's like all the grandeur of the day was pushed into his collection. The director made a sound decision by making Poli's work the finale for the night. Although some of his pieces are of the regular evening gown look, the dresses that are truly remarkable do not fall short from being "majestic."

You can view pictures of day 3 from the official photographer of IDW, Paul Chiongson, here.

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Guess What - Iloilo is Evolving

Evolving in a "We actually know how to dress up now" sense. This week, a series of fashion shows featuring the works of both the senior and the young designers of Iloilo is being held at SM City Mandurriao, where people are finally being injected the artsy gene which has, somehow, always been missing from the general populace. (I kid.)

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Cue in "Woo hoo!"

This night was my first serious fashion show experience.

An organization I joined in at UP hosted a fashion show in Plazuela de Iloilo, "Fashion's Night Out" (patterned after Vogue's event of the same name.) The designers who featured their designs are Bo Parcon and members of the Young Designers of Iloilo group: Doddie Vril Tan, Angel Tan, Djohn Clement, Jor-el Espina, Marvin Banaag (also a UP student!), and Mike Sorilla.

A Bo Parcon piece from PFW. Image (c) Nash Albacea

I made a BIG mistake of forgetting to bring a camera. The pieces were definitely something I'd have liked to capture on film. I am a naughty little blogger.

The preparations really took a toll on everyone working backstage. (I wore pumps, which was a very stupid idea because I was one of those backstage folk and had to run from one end of the venue to another. I have to hand it to myself, though. I've got mad skills in wearing heels.) Still, when the designers arrived, it was more than enough to compensate for our strained gastrocnemii.

The show was a success. I don't really know how to judge in that area but I was mesmerized all the while, so I guess my opinion has some rational basis. I hope next year it'll be even better, if that's even possible.

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Drool factor

I am an occasional fashion slave (BIG stress on the word occasional), so you could just imagine how excited I was when I saw a feature about Code-Limited, an online shop that sells original Filipino designer goodies for very reasonable prices, on MYX. Predictably I immediately went to to the site and browsed through the items for sale.

And, dang, they're not Korean fashion but they can beat the hell out of it. (Don't take it the wrong way, I love KFashion).

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