The second edition of Fashion Weekend in Abreeza Mall presented stronger, more exciting collections from the participating designers.
Members of the Davao Fashion and Design Council (DFDC) plus three young designers, who bagged the top prizes in the first Stellar young designer competition last year, took inspiration from the 11 tribes of Davao and presented their Davao indigenous culture-infused interpretations in a Cruise 2017-2018 Fashion Show.
From the lot, Edgar Buyan’s Ethno-fusion collection was an eye-popper. It was a brilliant rendition of integrating ethnic in modernity, of contrasting prints that worked well together, and in the use of the vivid, rich tones of the tribes.
Most interesting are the bold tribal prints – faces and patterns magnified on fabric, on a dress or pairings with color blocking or pattern-treated complements.
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| Edgar Buyan |
Overall, the designer presented very cohesive collection that truly celebrated the rich texture and tones of the Davao festival thru modern fashion injected with attitude and brilliance of Buyan.
Aztec Barba presented an admirable collection as well. The designer took the subtle path of executing “tribal fashion” via infusion of select ethnic fabrics into the details of his predominantly mocha and black set. The emerald green number was a clever move as if to prove the dark and shimmer combo of the local weave can work well with other colored textiles.
The drama in Barba’s pieces were in the manipulation of the fabric and letting the detail stand out by combining it with another material in a solid color.
From Dodjie Batu’s men’s earth and white Cruise collection, one detailed stood out as attractive—the play on the hemline on the upper garment. It appeared on the polo shirt as mock tailcoat on a shirt jack casual top, and on the white Nehru jacket, a pleated peplum detail at the rear with an amboy cut front.
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| Dogie Batu & Aztec Barba |
Taking the unchartered route, Windell Mira presented “Army Utilitarianism” in shades of khaki, grey and fatigue. The union of Maranao-lookalike print on chambray with the camouflage was a winning crusade.
The treatment on the trench coat (camo with tribal print detail on pocket patches) and the onesie, tunic top and wrap blouse (tribal print with camo detailing) was innovative.
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| Windell Mira |
Emi Englis’s RetroFuturEthnic collection was created with digitally printed textiles. Patterns created on accessories handcrafted by a local tribe were lifted and arranged then printed on fabric. With the product, the Englis designed wearable separates and injected the collection with accessories in pops of neon colors.
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| Emi Englis |
Of the young talents, Neil Patrick Jimlani was in his elements with the Cruise fashion. He once again displayed his strong suit – resort dressing. Playing with stripes, Jimlani’s long dresses and skirt can cross the line between day and evening wears on any waterfront affair.
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| Neil Patrick Jimlani & Lala Chua |
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| The young designers Wilson Limon, lala Chua & Neil Patrick Jimlani |
Ann Paminutan, renowned furniture designer from Davao, was the special guest for the weekend. A few of her “functional art” pieces were the centerpieces of the fashionable affair.
As part of the event, Pamintuan’s famous furniture was interpreted into garments by the members of the DFDC. Of the eight, I found Windell Mira’s sculptural execution as very engaging.
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| Ann Pamintuan x Windell Mira; Ann Pamintuan on her Ginko chair |
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| Aztec Barba, Windell Mira, Egay Ayag, Emi Englis, Ann Pamintuan, Dodjie Batu, Edgar Buyan, Benjie Panizales & Bamba Limon |
I’m looking forward to the next installment of the Fashion Weekend series.
Congratulations Davao designers, and may your tribe increase!
For travel stories, visit www.jeepneyjinggoy.com
Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com
Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.
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