Fashion month is almost over, but this is just the beginning. New trends will be seeping into our wardrobes, and there’s a bit of a mad scramble over who can wear it first and who can pull it off better. It’s about everything that is new and happening.
In times like these, I admire those brave enough to go for the essentials. Minimalism is sometimes the strongest statement you can make. It’s because there’s a certain quiet confidence you need for it.
I saw Paul Syjuco the other day and he told me about how his new collection, Cristal, falls in line with my sentiments. Veering away from the usual bold pieces which take inspiration from grandiose art movements, Syjuco’s new collection is about a clean aesthetic and wearability, but also with an eye for detail which gives the familiar a fresh take.
The 80-piece collection includes a tennis bracelet that combines diamonds in different cuts—princess, emerald and round. A pair of earrings made of small, light blue sapphires is painstakingly put together to create a three-dimensional form.
Syjuco plays with the natural state of gemstones, “raw, unpolished, and crystal-like” for his latest offerings at Aum at The Peninsula Manila and Trinoma.
These are just timeless pieces to have and hold, season after season.
Slow, conscious fashion
Speaking of which, there’s Hindy Weber and her brand, with a pop-up at SM Aura to boot. I’m happy to see Weber bring her ethos of slow, conscious fashion to the mainstream.
Weber is all about #fromseedtostyle. The clothes are made from “sustainably sourced, organic fabrics such as linen/flax, hemp, cotton, bamboo and peaceful silk. Some pieces, we use Tencel rayon, which is the most sustainable rayon in the market, using cellulose fiber. We also use plant dyes or nontoxic, water-safe, azo-free dyes.”
The designer is involved in the entire production process “because I’m a small brand and source all the fabrics myself, I have an opportunity to visit the farms, mills and dyeing factories.
“We believe the foundation of all of life stems from the health of our planet, and so as much as we have a passion for fashion, we know that we can no longer operate in this industry without paying better attention to our impact on the environment. Thus, everything we do considers our carbon footprint, as well as the wellness of people. We practice fair trade, provide living wages, we only use noncarcinogenic, water-safe dyes, our textiles are natural or sustainably sourced, and we only produce in limited quantities, foregoing seasonal or status quo demands.”
The results are encouraging. Weber says people have been loving the palazzo pants, camisoles, linen kimonos, hemp shirts, bamboo shirtdresses and jumpsuits.
What I like about all these pieces is how you can mix and match, wear on casual Fridays, or pair with your heels on formal occasions. They’re effortless and without frills—all about dressing well, and not just style-wise.
Weber says of her brand: “We created this collection for the woman who cares, who gives a sh*t, and is at a point in her life where her unique style reflects not just her aesthetic, but also her principles.”
It’s for this September, so you have only a few days left to drop by and shop. But you can always check her out online, @hindyweber.every.day on Instagram.
