Summer fashion roundup: Florals and native fabrics

Summer is heat, color and the beach. And the perfect time for shopping. Below, a fashion round-up for those who will be hitting the malls before they head to the water.

Rajo Laurel Spring/Summer 2014
 

 Palawan. This was both the title of, and the inspiration for, Rajo Laurel's Spring/Summer 2014 collection—its colors, textures and prints bringing forward the island's tropical vibe.

Bold leafy impressions envelop the maxi dresses, trousers and even the menswear. Colors from nature are used alternately—blue and turquoise from the ocean's palette, the green of plants, and bright yellow, the unmistakable hue of the summer sun.

"A more effortless yet polished aesthetic is what I want to deliver this season," says Laurel, and he achieved this through key looks that partnered structured pieces with clothes that cascade. Take for instance flowing wrap tops paired with tailored trousers or an architectural blouse over slouchy pants. The result: an outfit that marries the element of both beach and urban.

And what's a summer collection without white? As expected from the designer, most of the silhouettes in the Palawan collection came in this mandatory hue: dresses, jumpsuits, pants and tops.

Unexpected however is Laurel's use of black. The designer boldly uses this dark color in some of the garments while playing with their length and cut to make the ensemble season suitable. Loose jumpsuits, exaggerated off-shoulders and unconstrained skirts give a green pass to don black this summer.

Check out Rajo Laurel's site to see more of the collection.

AVA's Inabel Collection by Tweetie De Leon
 

AVA, an online retail platform created by Filipinos for women in the Southeast Asian region, has partnered with model turned fashion accessory designer Tweetie De Leon to create a collection around the inabel fabric of Ilocos.

Recently, local brands and designers have been showcasing indigenous fabrics more in their collections. In doing so, these designers aim to provide a more stable livelihood for the weavers, use fashion as a tool in spreading awareness about the weavers' communities, and to preserve the diminishing traditions that are part of the culture of our islands.

De Leon created travel essentials made from poly-cotton mix woven in the traditional Ilocos method. Historically, the inabel fabric used to make the abel-iloko blankets are 100 percent cotton; however, to secure the durability of the products, the poly-cotton mix blend is the ideal alternative.

Passport sleeve, shawl, iPad folio, a dopp kit and a weekender bag comprise the travel line. They are uniformly available in an orange-brown-yellow striped pattern reminiscent of vintage Filipino textiles—but with a modern touch through unobtrusive details like leather trimmings and water-resistant linings.

The Tweetie De Leon Inabel Collection is exclusively available at AVA.ph.

Aranaz Beach Boutique

Bag brand Aranaz has opened the Aranaz Beach Boutique, an online summer pop-up shop that offers Aranaz' Club Tropicana Collection—a tropical burst of color, flora and fauna on the canvas—as well as select brands that share this aesthetic.

Old Navy
 

Global apparel brands have mushroomed in the Philippines in recent years. The latest, if not the biggest in terms of store space, is US label Old Navy. The superstore, which opened its doors late last month, is located in a very imposing tri-level building in Bonifacio Global City.

The not-to-be missed structure occupies a corner spot, its massive blue and white logo visible even from afar.

The store is quite overwhelming: the premises is vast, packed with clothes, shoes and accessories. The interior is brightly lit and each changing room is spacious enough to accommodate two adults. Whimsical touches like moving leg mannequins and a spaceship in the kids’ section add fun to the experience.

I am familiar with Old Navy stores in the States; most, especially those not inside shopping malls, follow a certain "warehouse" aesthetic: bare walls, exposed ceilings and minimal display. The Manila franchise is a surprising contrast.

Together with the store’s launch is Old Navy’s Spring 2014 collection. Key looks are nautical, army surplus, rainbow and jersey dresses. Jeans come in various shades of blue and white, stripes and maritime prints. Ladies' wear include silk shorts, pencil skirts, and supple eyelet dresses. Neon swimsuits, graphic tees and other printed ensemble are in the kids’ section while preppy polo shirts, popped-collar and cotton tees take center stage for the gents. Fabrics are light and airy.

But perhaps what stands out are the brand’s competitive prices. Children’s shirts start at a little above P300, ladies and men’s tops are below the P1,000, and everything is below P2,000. — BM, GMA News