Style & Culture: Philippine Holiday Style

Kenneth Chua, Holiday 2011
(Photo: stylebible.ph)

The fashion industry in the Philippines is growing with amazing talent. It's not often the media reports on creativity there. But, when I saw the collections of designers like Kenneth Chua and Happy Andrada, I just knew I wanted to share it with my Style & Culture readers.

During Philippine Fashion Week, designers showcased items that were elegant yet very futuristic. It was like what you would envision the millennial woman wearing at a gala event. Some looks were almost robotic in structure but, with hints of subtle femininity. Details were very important and influences from Grecian times were also utilized in the designs of Jaki Peñasola. Shades of gold, silver, grey and bronze dominated many of the catwalks.

Enrico Carado was opposite showing a little bit of summer using bright color on white for key pieces in his holiday collection. He used his signature technique of hand-dyed fabric to create texture along with details around the neckline and the bodice of some dresses.

This year hats have become a big trend especially after the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. Happy Andrada brought that into the collection with an array of decorative hats topping off most looks on runway.