METROWEAR at 15..Old Enough To Be Young ?

Fifteen years and going strong!, Metrowear has expanded and presently perched in precipice of change with cutting edge tradition.But before the path breakers, came the path makers who defined what is "IN" in fashion....And here are the front liners who ruled the runway.

GERRY KATIGBAK (FDCP)
Along with the ‘goddess’ touches, there is a stronger masculine side. Softly tailored line with slouchy mix construction with fluidity. The styling remains more or less the same each time.
Inspiring: Displaying equal prowess in menswear and womenswear. Every piece is experimentation of little black dress, and is desirable.
Evolution: Have introduced details and shapes in the predominantly sharp constructions.
Textures and embroideries are more varied.
Wow points: Beautiful black ensembles and large chunks of embellishments
Overall styling: Less adventurous but elegant

JOJIE LLOREN (FDCP)
Stepping away from the norm, this time, he retains femininity through soft blacks and light embellishments without being overtly girly. More linear – both in terms of shape and graphic elements.
Wow points: Sheer satin/ chiffon A-line dresses , beautiful flowers/rose embroideries.
Point to note: Reminiscent of the earlier 60's style in terms of embroideries and silhouettes.
Inspiring: A crisp collection from FDCP's fraternal maestro.

OJ HOFER (FDCP)
They first made an appearance in the 1960s, but now they are back with a bang. This season, OJ HOFER revived the pleats and reintroduced in novel ways. Simple yet chic, they make a great fashion statement as they can be adapted to various styles. Although practical, today, pleats are the height of sophistication. Look out for Hofer's classy simple but architectural pleated dresses – cleaner in terms of shapes and construction.
Inspiring: Maturity, presentation, styling, details, range, finish and creativity
Evolution: A fine balance of glamour and intellect.
Wow Factor: And yet again, OJ HOFER delivers the best collection at Metrowear.. There is no escape!

DONG OMAGA DIAZ (FDCP)
There is nothing to dislike, no scope to go wrong. Super chic and with sexy circular insertions mini-dresses? Check. Tonal textured tailored fabrics? Check.
Inspiring: The ability to make everything seem effortless – simply beautiful. The potential of casual-dressy-casual transitions in almost every piece. Subtle detailing.Evolution: Exploring REWIND/FAST FORWARD as design elements.
Wow points: Beautiful vintage layering elements harmonising without clutter.
Stagnation: Repetitive, also, continuous use of one color can get monotonous

ERIC DE LOS SANTOS (YDG)
There is progress beyond the construction story. Some printed cut-outs with voluminous knitting yarns hanging frills and serve as neckpieces. Creating great op-art in contrasts . But once more, the shapes look somewhat quirky and amateurish in nature.
Evolution: Flow and volume, varying lengths, distinctively different.
Wow point:There is....?
Future: More on fine lines please, and less clutters shifts.

JEROME SALAYA ANG (YDG)
More urban, rock chic with hard edge embellishments are placed on a great and varied range of jackets, without screaming craft. Many patterns of black leather punk-gothic essentials, manage to come together well.
Inspiring: Texture and styling. Black leggings with pump-up cruiser high cut shoes.. add up to create stunning ensembles – Jerome Rocks!!!
Evolution: Playing with soft and hard texture . Antique studs and blings as embroideries.
Wow point: Delightfully cheeky!....Deliriously young.

LOUIS MAGALONA CLAPAROLS (YDG)
The boy works real hard, but gets too carried away. Phenomenally time consuming texturing. Shapes, volume and digital prints are all very dramatic and effective, and rather beautiful. But somewhere under all those layers, the message is lost. Maybe he should take a sabbatical from connective media and conceptualise without getting inspired by the likes of Rodarte, Pugh, McQueen and others.Left-lobe design, straying from convention, challenging notions, provocative yet magnetic. The forward force.
Inspiring: Endeavouring to push borderless limitation every time.Experimental.
Evolution: More ‘open spaces’ instead of excessive texture. More is Less syndrome.
Wow point: Daring and Fierce

MITZI QUILANDRINO BUSTOS (YDG)
Ex-half of Fightercock retains some of the street chic, but notches up the glam-luxe feel. Fuss-free, well constructed, interestingly seamed, graphically stitched, thoughtfully detailed. But not exciting enough.Laborious textures, a commendable job with both execution and presentation. But it is trying too hard to make a statement, and we are not sure what it is. Gladiator-warrior-alien- is very impactful, but highly reminiscent of McQueen and Pugh
Inspirational: non-conformist ethos, attention to the overall look, show presentation and the ‘cult’ value. Spunky!
Evolution: None.
Stagnation: Presentation of the ‘student’ sensibility.
Wow Factor: Execution Mask