Sketched: Iloilo's Top Designers at the Robinsons Fashion Festival
By Jaki Peñalosa
An answer to the growing popularity of Ilonggo artistry, Iloilo Fashion Festival – the first ever in the province – was held last May 15 to 17, 2008 at Robinsons Place Iloilo. Our homegrown talents showcased the latest in their designs.
Featured last May 17, 2008 were creations by Aldrich Aparicio, Angelette Borja Ragus, Bo Parcon, Claire Jarantilla, Grace Clavel, Jaki Peñalosa, and Jasmine Castelo. The range of the designs, most of which were in theme with the summer season, were distinct for every designer. There were the elegantly simple, yet classic ones, there were also futuristic in nature, and very elaborate ones as well.
Aldrich Aparicio's designs were in the classic mode, incorporating modern variations with the old cuts. Each piece was carried on the ramp complete with bags and accessories.
Angellete Borja Ragus' pieces were ultra feminine with the different gown collection, sensible for formal occasions or galas. Spray paint on white is probably the theme of the next collection. Models went out donning billowy asymmetrical-cut dresses, the white material used was sprinkled all-over with brown spray paint. There was even a piece made for men, a loose long-sleeved shirt and trousers ensemble of soft, white material. These creations of Bo Parcon is in tuned with the summer season.
By Grace Clavel
Sweet and colorful, this is what you can say about Claire Jarantilla's collection. It is perfect on prom night for teens who love fun and color integrated in their outfits. It even has a bold sleeveless jumpsuit piece of orange and fuchsia, along with the gowns.
Dreamy translucence is the main idea for Grace Clavel's collection with most of the designs having an overlay of sheer translucent material. There are also designs of dark and earth colors of equally soft and flowy material.
Funky piña is the theme of Jaki Peñalosa's collection. The main material used for the designs is piña cloth dyed to black and metallic hues of gold and green.
The last collection to be presented is that of Jasmine Castelo, aptly so because the designs were the most unique and individualistic of all. The funky futuristic approach used for the designs wowed the crowd in captivated attention for the one-of-a-kind collection that used a hard elongated, husk-like part of a coconut tree as accent.
This event was brought in partnership by Robinsons Place Iloilo, Picture City, Pepsi, Governor Felipe Nava, Chowking, Pizza Hut, Escas, Aldente, Sbarro, Hua Lun Textile, Councilor Julienne Baronda, Schu, Lindi Hublitzel, Dr. Tetchie Layson, Jeanette Oberio, Linda Sanico, Pepoy Tancinco, and Emilion Restaurant. The Young Designers Guild of the Philippines supported the event with its fashionable presence.