If Saturday’s shows were fashion week’s highest points, it started and ended there. Philippine Fashion Week closing shows last night were completely underwhelming—we didn’t even realize that was possible. The looks were just too much, in the sense that there were a lot to process: so much on the glitter, too many appliqués. And none of it was satisfying on any level.
From Day Two, we gleaned that Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2015 could still redeem itself. There was a fiber of possibility left that Runway Productions could still stage shows that gave goosebumps and sent chills down the spine. But until we feel that again, sorry Fashion Week, this season wasn’t your best.
Jun-Jun Cambe
We let it slide the last time. The first day’s opening track was a pre-recorded track of Daniel Padilla singing “Pangako Sa’Yo.” It was forgiven and forgotten. But to open day three with Frozen anthem “Let It Go” was pushing it. As for the clothes, we can’t even.
Verdict: Not even close! Miss
Kaye Morales
If you do Japanese, you’ve got to do it well. It is a theme touched upon time and again, and this was nothing new. A few favorite pieces, yes! The oversized leather trousers and obi-belted leather jacket made the cut. We’ll take them as is. And no, Kaye, those 10-inch platform shoes won’t put us on a good kind of high. We’ll skip on the vertigo, thank you very much.
Verdict: Not an overall miss, but a miss nonetheless
Pat Santos
There’s marsala, such a lovely shade of old red wine. And then there’s marsala overload. Pat Santos had the potential. The clothes looked jet set-ready: comfortable light jerseys, well-piped knee-length dresses, and updated mesh jackets. But there’s no escaping the curse of over-embellishment. Their placement made them look busy and dated. However, without them, this wouldn’t have been the best show of the night.
Verdict: This might have been Day Three’s best, but it’s a miss still
Phillip Tampus
It’s hard to do lace detailing, so we have to give it to Phillip Tampus. The intricate lace looked immaculate on fabric, but on actual clothes, they lost their appeal. The collection’s overly covered-up upper half made it look too heavy, while the overexposed lower half could spell scandalous (think sheer skirts with peeping undies). The balance was lost in marrying the two elements.
Verdict: So close, but still a miss
Randall Solomon
Florals for spring are often accused for being too literal and obvious. But we didn’t know that transitioning them for fall season would be worse. And in pastels? Randall may have overdone flowers this time. But inspiration-wise, we get it. We see Khloris and Antheia, the Greek goddesses of flowers, as the inspiration right there. Otherwise, these designs just haven’t fully blossomed.
Verdict: Bloom and doom—miss
Raoul Ramirez
The arm gloves game in Raoul Ramirez’s show was evident. We’re not betting on those though—not if they’re neon pink matched with neon pink tights, too.
Verdict: We missed out on the point of this one. Miss
See the collections in the slideshow above!
Photos by Patrick Segovia