#PhFW: Sashaying now on a runway near you

The countdown to Philippine Fashion Week spring-Summer 2014 is over. With tres-fab couture ready on the racks or flying off designing houses’ floors; models cast; and rehearsals completed, fashion-philes await the latest installment of “IT” creations with baited breath.

Slated on October 23-27, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, fashion savants, savvy shoppers, trendsetters, and wanna-be’s alike are staying tuned to #PhFW; the online community of style-bible thumping, swag-loving, fashion-forward chic-sters.

Philippine Fashion Week is a bi-annual fashion industry event held in May (Holiday Collection) and October (Spring-Summer Collection for the next year) which had its humble beginnings many years ago at the Activity Center of the Ayala Glorietta Mall. At its inception, the show was held for 7-10 days, once a year, and featured an array of primarily commercial brands.

The country’s longest-running fashion’s extravaganza is currently held at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City, and has through the years evolved in style, flair, and grandeur; becoming today’s biggest, glitziest, grandest, and most anticipated style spectacle.

Forecasting the Spring-Summer collection of 2014: Over one hundred designers, 5 popular retail brands; showcasing 5000 creations on 900 of the country’s hottest fashion models.

Dubbed the “Olympics of Fashion” Philippine Fashion Week has become the benchmark of skill and excellence of the most creative local designers.

Their Facebook page describes the event as: A launch pad for leading retail outlets, local fashion brands and lifestyle companies presenting new designs, new products, new innovation and new ideas.

The Holiday Collection took to the ramp in May 2013, with masterpieces from Dubai-based Filipino designer, Michael Cinco; non-conformist veteran fashion guru Gerry Katigbak; quirky and trendy designer Happy Andrada; and brands like JAG Jeans, SM Store, and a “Pleasure Seekers” collection from Magnum.

A highlight of the event was the Grand Allure collection, which sashayed dramatic, fantastical creations from the likes of Boyet Dysangco, Cherry Samuya Veric, Dave Ocampo, and many other cutting-edge designers.

The collection-closer was the Ethereal Collection by Albert Andrada – former exclusive fashion designer to the Sheikah of Fujeirah – whose dreamy collection unveiled the designer-to-royalty’s meticulous attention to detail and skillful mastery of the fine art of embellishment.

Spring-Summer 2014 promises to be as exciting; creative juices once more overflowing as designers present their much-anticipated collections.

Meanwhile, here are some slices of Philippine Fashion Week Holiday Collection 2013:

Happy Andrada’s quirky, edgy, and super chic asymmetric, semi-deconstructed Holiday Collection 2013. (Photo : myhappyrealm.blogspot.com / Happy Andrada)

Dubai-based Filipino designer, Michael Cinco, with his bevy of models and luxe holiday gowns. (Photo : Michael Cinco / Facebook)

Dave Ocampo backstage at Philippine Fashion Week Holiday Collection 2013 with his models clad in dramatic Gothic-inspired creations. (Photo : Dave Ocampo / Facebook)

Albert Andrada’s dreamy Ethereal Collection. (Photo : Albert Andrada / Facebook / Rob Oformacion Photography)

Model’s are resplendent in Cherry Samuya-Veric’s simply golden Holiday 2013 line. (Photo : Cherry Samuya-Veric / Facebook)