MANILA - Funky candy-colored prints and stylish metal-shade evening wear marked the recently concluded Metrowear fashion show held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Young and senior designers showed what a stylish holiday it will be as the Samsung Metrowear 2009 series ushered in trends for the coming season. The fashion show was part of Metro Magazine's 20th anniversary celebration.

A grand follow-up to its Samsung Metrowear 100 show early this year, the Samsung Metrowear series was a historic showdown of sorts between up-and-coming designers from the Young Designers' Guild (YDG) and fashion design veterans from the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Metro Magazine editor-in-chief Katrina Holigores said the obvious differences between the two groups' fashion aesthetics actually complemented each other.

"Both groups represent excellence in design in both seasoned and 'up and coming' categories. Both also have high standards in terms of design creativity, quality and foresight in predicting trends. Their collaboration is an opportunity to learn from one another," she said in a press statement.

It was a head-to-head contest between the cutting-edge and spunky styles of the YDG and the elegant, classic designs of FDCP fashion greats.

Leading the YDG pack were Mitzi Quilendrino-Bustos, John Herrera, Aries Lagat, Reian Mata, Louis Claparols, Ferdie Abuel, Eric de los Santos, Brian Levya, Regine Dulay, Jerome Lorico and Veejay Floresca.

The FDCP, meanwhile, was represented by many well-known names like Rajo Laurel, JC Buendia, Randy Ortiz, Vittorio Barba, Ramon Esteban, Len Nepomuceno-Guiao Frederick Peralta, OJ Hofer, Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Gerry Katigbak, Tippi Ocampo, Dong Omaga-Diaz, Arcy Gayatin, Joey Samson, Avel Bacudio, Jojie Lloren, Edwin Ao and Anthony Nocom.

Fashion themes

The designers showed off their creations inspired by a variety of themes. The "Enchantment" collection featured elegant dresses and suits dominated by soft metallic colors splashed in long silhouette dresses and gowns while the "Guggenheim" collection sported contemporary and modern designs in monochromatic shades and streamlined dress and suit styles.

The "House on the Prairie" collection showed country fashions like plaid prints and pleats while the "Shakespeare" collection showed romantic and medieval-inspired styles with a modern touch from jewel-colored dresses with a touch of embroidery to gentlemanly three-piece suits in princely colors.

The "Samsung Techno-folk" collection, meanwhile, went all out with edgy and out-of-this world creations in bold colors and prints like bubblegum pink, lemon yellow, lime green, and neon colors paired up with the stark neutrality of white, charcoal gray, or black.

Each collection was accompanied by live music and dance mixes, courtesy the show's director Robby Carmona. The show was hosted by Joey Mead, who donned a Coke Light-inspired red and silver dress by Avel Bacudio, and G Tongi, who shifted from a jade dress to a bright yellow gown by Jerome Ang.

For the finale, all the models (including ABS-CBN Star Magic talents) lined the catwalk in all-black dresses and suits, followed by the parade of designers clad in red and yellow to signal the show's close.

The event was attended by a variety of celebrities, style icons, and designers, and socialites.

The annual Metrowear fashion show is one of the most anticipated fashion events in the Philippines. It is recognized as a world-class platform for local Filipino designers to promote and celebrate their creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship. Photos by Jovel Lorenzo and Ramon Mangila.

For more information, grab a copy of METRO magazine in select newsstands and bookstores nationwide.