Soft fabrics, right sheen under the disco ball, eye on the shoulders
AWASH WITH nostalgia, these season’s silhouettes are modern concoctions reminiscent of ’80s fashion, with hints of the ’70s. Fabrics include jersey, tulle, and chiffon, with textures providing just the right sheen for a night under a disco ball.

Slightly veering away from the body-con phenomenon, designers such as Martin Bautista, Veejay Floresca, and Sassa Jimenez take the focus of interest away from the waist for a fanciful play on the shoulders, the neckline, and the back.

Martin Bautista

“My collection is called Nero,” says Bautista. “It’s named after a Roman persona who was passionate about Greek culture and lived in great luxury. Nero is also Italian for black, which is my color of choice for this collection.”

Martin says he wanted his collection to be “sexy, soulful, and gothic—in a new way.”

Though the collection is dark and edgy, it is softened by the use of lightweight fabrics such as jersey.

Frocks and suits, some one-armed, exquisitely detailed with cutouts, dangerously dipped necklines, and thigh-high slits paired with leather accessories—also make for a sinister yet seductive take on Spring/Summer fashion.

About his collection, delightfully risqué and still wearable, Martin says, “I am inspired by real women. I think fashion should be realistic, practical and true. Fashion for me is like language—it should be something that everyone can understand and relate to.”

Veejay Floresca

“Someone who is confident and not only appreciates style but is also willing to experiment with me,” is how Veejay defines the woman who wears his creations.

His collection consists of variations on a white floor-length languorous dress, one with wide diamond cutouts at the back and another an asymmetric off-shoulder dress; and some ensembles of stark white jersey and gray sequined tulle and gazar.

Inspired by the constellations, Veejay’s collection is about “breathing fresh air. It’s about clothes you can really wear during Spring/Summer season,” he says.

“My collection,” he adds, “is relaxed, elegant, sophisticated, and consists of clothes that you can mix and match.”

Sassa Jimenez

Fashionistas found themselves bopping to the tune of “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode as Ria Bolivar opened Sassa’s show in a one-shoulder electric blue jersey dress.

Her collection, aptly titled “Club Glam,” is inspired by ’80’s fashion.

“It was an era I grew up in,” she explains, “but was never able to fully appreciate it because I was still too young.”

She chose electric blue, black, and gray as her main colors and infused snakeskin and metallics for a whimsical and opulent touch.

Bold shoulders, embellished accents on feminine silhouettes, and other manifestations of 1980’s fashion are evident in the collection.

Her finale of gowns—a black sequined V-neck lounge dress with a thigh-high slit, a rainbow snakeskin mini dress with a cropped biker jack and peacock tail, and a striped jersey and sequined long gown with a deep-V neckline—was breathtaking.

Icing on the cake was Charo Ronquillo, who closed the show looking immaculate in a black swimsuit and a gray cloud-like ruffle cover-up.