The embroidered’70s-inspired blouse and balloon skirt ensemble Sen. Nancy Binay wore to the Senate’s opening session, hours before President Aquino made his State of the Nation Address in July, set off an unprecedented bashing frenzy on social media.
As soon as photos of Binay in a Randy Ortiz-designed outfit came out, bashers lost no time making unflattering comparisons and memes of the senator.
Digitally manipulated images of Binay likening her look to, among others, a hot-air balloon, bolsa de hielo, Princess Fiona, the Brazilian flag and Datu Puti refill pack came out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Binay put on a brave front by declaring in an interview that she wasn’t affected at all. Her detractors, she said, would always find fault in whatever she does and wears.
The senator graciously took the blame by saying that she failed to tie the drawstring at then hem to make the chevron-paneled yellow, olive and forest-green satin skirt shorter and less voluminous.
Just when Ben Chan thought the worse was over after deciding to postpone “The Naked Truth” by a day due to Typhoon “Mario” in September, the board chair of Suyen Corp. soon had to deal with storm of protests resulting from a segment in the show held at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
A number of politicians, feminists and ordinary citizens found the segment featuring actor Coco Martin pulling a female dancer-contortionist on a leash extremely offensive.
The issue nearly eclipsed everything else in the biennial underwear show, including Cirque du Soleil-flavored dance and acrobatic routines, as protests went viral on social media hours after images of Martin and the unidentified Caucasian woman walking on all fours came out.
For the second straight year, Filipino designers made a splash in Malaysia Fashion Week in October by presenting distinct but wearable collections.
Before the weeklong event ended in Kuala Lumpur, Albert Andrada won as Asia’s Most Connected Designer. His feat came on the heels of fellow Filipino Avel Bacudio’s win last year as Asia’s Most Influential Designer.
By also showing in KL, Roland Alzate, winner of LOOK of Style Award (Losa) in 2012, also received inquiries from Japanese department store chain Takashimaya regarding the possibility of carrying his line.
Big things are also in store for fashion designer Viña Romero and shoe designer Nere Ku, this year’s Losa winners for apparel and accessories, respectively. Fifteen designers vied for the two coveted awards in November, staged by LOOK Magazine, Inquirer Lifestyle and British Council.
Each of the two winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the UK courtesy of the British Council, and enroll in one of the short design courses offered at the London College of Contemporary Arts.
