Time have certainly changed. These days, you can take your flip-flops from the beach to the city streets. As summer looms, we can all give our stilettos a much-needed hiatus and take a cue from the easy, breezy style Brazilians are known for.
This season, flip-flops brand Ipanema, with its rich Brazilian heritage, continues to offer versatile picks the fashion set can wear with any ensemble, proving that this type of footwear is not just meant for functional comfort.
“It aims to offer young fashionistas a diversity of flip-flop styles that are not just fit for the beach, but also for a variety of occasions, whether it’s a chic day trip with friends or a stylish evening out with someone special,” says Patxi Elizalde, Ipanema managing director.
Once again, the brand will parade their latest pairs at their Philippine Fashion Week show, in collaboration with designers Raoul Ramirez, Anthony Nocom, Catherine Cavilte, Dave Ocampo and Lyle Ibañez, whose creations are inspired by Ipanema’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
Ramirez goes for clean lines with “ocean-like designs,” flora and fauna inspired separates perfect for basking in the sun, and basics made of knit, jersey, and cotton that are “versatile enough to take wearers from daytime events to evening occasions.”
With essentials such as a pair of wide-legged drawstring pants, poncho, maxi dress, and tunic, Ramirez says, “These are perfect pieces that can be paired with Ipanema sandals, because they’re comfortable, stylish, and easy to wear.”
Nocom takes a cue from jet-setters traveling to luxurious destinations such as Capri, Ibiza, Cannes, Bali and Palawan. Loose silhouettes in fabrics such as cotton, linen, cheesecloth, rayon silk and cotton twill, are spruced up with graphic prints, while other pieces in neutral hues of white and khaki are accented with bright colors for “glamorous resort wear pieces that can be worn even outside the beach.”
“One can do a lot in resort dressing; you just have to be creative. Always keep in mind that summer wear should be relaxed and cool,” notes Nocom.
Fanciful approach
Catherine Cavilte, on the other hand, takes a fanciful approach with a collection dubbed “Mystery.” Lace, satin, and linen multi-purpose jackets and frocks in white, beige and pastel constructed in various silhouettes can take ladies from a morning affair at the beach to an afternoon teatime party in a jiffy.
Another designer who chose pastels was Ibañez. He gives his take on the color-blocking trend with hues of pale green, pink and blue, and vivid shades of orange, yellow and blue reminiscent of Ipanema’s bright colors. A play on billowy and structured silhouettes using silk, chiffon, mesh and jersey fabrics gives his collection a dynamic twist.
On building a resort wear wardrobe, he says: “Just invest in quality pieces that can be mixed and matched, and most of all, don’t be afraid to wear color.”
Also braving the upcoming sizzling season is Ocampo, whose collection “Caliente,” which means “hot” in Spanish, rivals the scorching summer months with “light, skin-baring pieces decked in floral and circular prints, combined in a colorful mix of violet, fuchsia, blue, yellow and green.”
Fabrics such as spandex and stretch tulle are given new life in skintight swimwear, fluid pants and skirts, and other duds that can be tweaked for an evening out to go with equally dressy flip-flops.
On Ipanema and his collection, he says: “Apart from it being the comfiest choice of footwear, its designs are very light, trendy and unique. As a designer, I make it a point that my wearers look fashionable, while being at ease.”
Through Ipanema’s fashion show, the brand shows fashionistas and sun worshippers alike how a pair of flip-flops is enough to take their look from sunset to sundown. As Elizalde says: “Ipanema goes beyond the stereotypical functional flip-flops, providing the user the three basic elements of great footwear: guaranteed comfort, seamless versatility, and spot-on fashion relevance.”
Ipanema’s S/S 2012 collection will be available at SM Department Stores, Landmark Department Stores, and Crossings Department Stores.
The Ipanema Philippine Fashion Week show will be held at the SMX Convention Center on Oct. 29, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
