PHIL. FASHION WEEK S/S 09 capsule collection

Busy is an understatement.

I'm actually in crisis, close to splitting my soul into several parts ala Voldemort. Add to that a side project involving 'he who must not be named'.

Last night I had to redo my capsule collection. Three of the pieces I had to chuck. It wasn't giving the mood I was looking for. Not too deconstructed for my taste. I'm quite happy to report it's not giving the Gareth Pugh vibe anymore. I guess, it will make one of my haters happy because I'm done 'assuming' Mr. Pugh. Hahaha!

Although, let me say this, I did take inspirations from the concepts of Martin Margiela and Rei Kawakubo. Very them, half of my collection. Of course, I don't assume it's that good like what they churn out, lest my lovely haters accuse me of 'assuming' again.

I don't know about my seamstress if she's happy with the changes. Hahaha! She gets to have a mini vacation once I'm off to Phnom Penh on Monday. And did I ever tell you our beaders are guys? Yep, and they're all not gay ha. Very creative bunch. I'm telling you Cambodians are really good with their hands.

I'm happy with the shoes. All in yummy colors like blue, pink, fuchsia pink, red and flesh. The flesh one is made of suede calf skin leather, my fave material now.

I don't know what reaction will this collection get. For one it's more colorful than my usual sober, darkly flavored aesthetic. It's a statement about construction and deconstruction which I doubt a lot would understand. Come on, most of Manille thinks the high street brands are high fashion. That's the reality some of us designers face. I say some coz many who show during PFW don't even have a clue how to do a collection.

From what I saw in the PFW poster there's a lot of new names cropping up. Great! We need new designers to put out new ideas, new sensibility. I can't wait to see their collections. I'm also excited to see the finale of Project Runway Philippines on the 23rd. It's head-to-head between Aries Lagat, Veejay Floresca and Philip Tampus. I've worked with Aries and Veehay before and I know they will give it their best. Based from what I gathered from Bo Parcon, Philip is also palaban. Your bet is as good as mine on who emerges as the grand winner.

A minor detail I'm not happy about is that a couple of my models are just 5'4". I don't know what to do with them. I'm happy with everything the organizers have done for us so far but I don't think having 5'4" models is a good way to do it. I know a designer who decided to back out because he didn't like the models given to him. I don't think it's being primadonna and trying to be difficult. I could understand where he is coming from because he's got a product to protect also. Using a bad model is like suicide. I don't want to be mean but some of the models we are using are not pretty at all. I'd rather use Kawadjan, actually.

Anyway, there's nothing I can do now except to use Frodah, the 5'4" model with 9" feet. hihihi.

So, see you all on October 26, 2008, SMX Convention Center, 1pm for the Ready-to-Wear collections where I'l be showing my capsule designs for Spring/Summer 2009.