The fifth annual Look of Style Awards held at Buddha Bar reaffirmed the bright future of Philippine fashion.

 

It was wonderful to see our young designers making their own interpretations of street style. There were sexy and tight short dresses. There were hints of androgyny in pseudomasculine pants, fedoras and jumpsuits. Accessories were bold and beautiful in cuffs, big bad brooches and clunky platforms.

Fifty percent of the crowd, including models of the fashion finalists, wore trainers (sneakers, to you and me).

 

Other accessories took the minimalist route with spare and architectural lines, colors and execution.

 

A highlight of the presentation was the color-soaked winter collection of past winner Roland Alzate. Leather bombers in orange and violet with elongated skirts wowed the audience, especially the finalists who couldn’t hide their admiration.

 

Younger designers definitely look up to Alzate, who had earlier presented his collection in Canada and Malaysia. The footwear by Ron Ramiro, last year’s Look of Style finalist, was superb and fashion-forward.

 

Looking at all of the collections that night, one would conclude that youthquakers were making their mark in contemporary fashion.