MANILA - In a makeshift dressing room at a pirate-themed restaurant in Eastwood City, five aspiring designers from the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP) were busy fussing over their models, all perched on gilded sofas or hardwood chairs.

Makeup spills from tiered cases and fabrics are laid out on every available surface as lips get glossed, faces get glittered, and dresses are zipped up.

The chaos fails to ruffle FIP's top design students, all handpicked by the school's director Shanon Pamaong to feature their collections in ABS-CBN's "Us Girls Fashion Show" held at the Eastwood Activity Center on June 19.

Apples Dela Vega, the "Us Girls" show's executive producer, said the fashion event was a post-Independence day celebration, honoring Filipino-made clothes and local designers. For up-and-coming designers, however, the show could help jumpstart their careers.

As a "Project Runway" of sorts, five student designers were given less than 5 days to come up with two outfits reflecting their unique fashion sense. Already, their fashion pieces provide a glimpse of the Filipino fashion industry's various design influences and philosophies.

From easy-to-wear jersey dresses to mermaid-inspired clothes, down to hemmed and embroidered miniskirts and playful sexy sailor clothes; these young designers certainly show promise.

Both fashion show first-timers and slightly more experienced designers had a chat with abs-cbnNEWS.com about their fashion style and what they thought about haute couture's future in an economic crisis.

Hazel Cargado: Going girly

FASHION CONCEPT: I made 2 minidresses. The fabric of choice is jersey because it's easy to wear, very simple, no hassle. Just put it on and you're ready to go. Details are drapings. The first dress is in blue and gray, and the second dress is in pink and gray.

SIGNATURE: I like making a lot of skirts. I love making skirts with a lot of volume. And sometimes, I like figure-flattering pieces like a fitted dress with serpetine skirt. I also love colors, I love playing around with colors and ruffles. It's very whimsical.

FASHION INSPIRATION: I like Betsey Johnson's dresses. It's very girly, it's Barbie. It looks a little fairytale-like. Because I like dressing up from when I was young and up to now.

FASHION SHOWS DONE: This is my first. On our graduation in July, though there's going to be a fashion show.

FAVE FASHION ICONS: John and Paul Herrera. They are my teachers. I think they're very talented but they're very down to earth.

GAME PLAN: After graduation, I'm planning to make ready to wear (RTW) dresses and then I would also like to specialize in couture dresses, prom gowns and debut dresses.

HOW HIGH FASHION CAN COMPETE WITH BARGAIN CLOTHING: People nowadays, they want dresses that are fitted for them. Customized. People nowadays will like to have customized dresses, fitted for their bodies and a lot of people appreciate fashion.

Oscar Go: Fine art fashion

FASHION CONCEPT: I did garments that have a certain idea about paintings and I incorporated them into my clothes.

SIGNATURE: I try to combine embellishments and handpainting, embroidery. It's difficult and fun at the same time. [I'm proud of] the clothes that I created for my sister [singer Rachell Ann Go]. She makes it a point to wear it on one of her shows.

FASHION INSPIRATION: Even before, when I was little, my parents said I always draw wedding gowns. And as I grew old, I always had the ambition to become a fashion designer. The most difficult thing is that there's a lot of competition around and the challenge here is how I would be able to create my own name, to make people see my own style, that I am original.

FASHION SHOWS DONE: I did join other shows like for the Sugar, Sugar magazine show before, and another magazine launch.

FAVE FASHION ICONS: John Herrera and Shanon Pamaong. They're really good when it comes to designing and in their techniques.

GAME PLAN: I plan on joining Fashion week next year and having my own line.

HOW HIGH FASHION CAN COMPETE WITH BARGAIN CLOTHING: 'Ukay ukay' is for the "masa" and there are certain clients for couture, for high fashion. Now, people are more into ready to wear, [but] there are still people who love made-to-order clothes. So maybe in the fuiture, people will still consider made-to-order clothes.

Camille Liwanag: Exclusive clothing

FASHION CONCEPT: For my first dress, it's fish. I'm into mermaids, so my dress is inspired like a goddess fish. And my second dress is glam rock, more on the sexy side and inspired by Britney Spears' "Gimme More." Sexy, but still decent. I made the black dress within 2 days, conceptualizing the pattern and the design.

SIGNATURE: As for now, I'm still learning, I'm still searching for it.

FASHION INSPIRATION: I got interested because since I was in 5th grade, I discovered that I was into designing. Until the talent was developed and after graduating from high school, I joined FIP. My inspiration is, my surroundings. Like, if I saw my friend with a dress full of zippers, I decided to create a dress with a zipper, and a touch of my style like cuts and sexy avante-garde. I want clothes that are limited to certain people. I want them to be worn by people who think like me, people who want to be unique. I don't like ready-to-wear, I'm more into making a limited number [of clothes.]

FASHION SHOWS DONE: This is my first time.

FAVE FASHION ICONS: Shanon Pamaong. I want to reach his level, so I'm very thankful that God gave me this opportunity to show my work.

GAME PLAN: Of course, there are a lot of designers, so you have to create your own mark in the industry so you become well-known. Little by little, I will get there. I'm planning to create more of my designs and planning to join different fashion shows. Even if they're not that big, I'll still join the fashion shows. I'm hardworking. Even if I'm tired or dizzy, I'm still game.

HOW HIGH FASHION CAN COMPETE WITH BARGAIN CLOTHING: There's still [space for high fashion] because not all people are into ready-to-wear or "ukay-ukay." People will want fresh, new ideas. That won't go away.

Koo Gotauco: Naughty Nautical

FASHION CONCEPT: Nautical-inspired, like the navy.

SIGNATURE: Anything goes, but don't overdo it.

FASHION INSPIRATION: Ever since I was little, I was interested in dressing up. I love dressing up myself too.

FASHION SHOWS DONE: I've done shows for Christmas parties at school. I think I've joined, more or less, five.

GAME PLAN: There's competition because there are a lot of us. Like, everyone wants to be a designer. But some designs are unique. It depends on how you market it and how unique your designs are.

HOW HIGH FASHION CAN COMPETE WITH BARGAIN CLOTHING: One likes to be unique, right? So if you get "ukay ukay" and stuff, that's like someone else's clothes already. So if you buy couture, high fashion, it's sure that you're the only one who has it. And you can have it on your own preference.

"Us Girls" airs on Sundays, 7 p.m. only on Studio 23. For more information on "Us Girls", visit http://usgirls23.multiply.com.