Criselda’s blooms
STAYING TRUE to her trademark elegant and timeless designs, famed fashion designer Criselda Lontok launched her 2017 Holiday Collection, titled “Life in Bloom.” Much of the more than 60-piece collection featured trademark Criselda touches — billowy silhouettes, flowers, and bold colors.
“I’m always associated with flowers but now we have a lot of ruffles because that’s the style now,” Ms. Lontok told BusinessWorld shortly before the launch on Aug. 31 at Rustan’s Makati.
Some of her long-time customers were among the models during the show.
The collection featured a palette reminiscent of spring — bright yellows, deep pinks, crimson, vibrant jewel tones and creams against a dark as night background — and, of course included a lot of flowers — in prints, embroidered, and appliquéd — in her favorite fabrics such as jacquard, lace, organza, Mikado, and chiffon.
“I have found that nature, most especially blooms, give me the most profound joy. Just seeing the fresh flowers, touching their petals and smelling their sweet scents instantly lifts my spirits. With all that’s happening today, I believe that we have to constantly remind ourselves to be positive and what better way to do that than through what we wear,” she said in a press release.
This is a woman who has dressed generations as she has been designing for 34 years now, but while her clientele has always been the more mature, she said she has been seeing a shift as more younger people are drawn to her designs.
“Especially now that we’re putting out more long gowns and prom dresses, more of the younger people are coming in,” she said.
Aside from the clothes — which ranged from asymmetrical blouses to billowy capes — she has also put out a collection of accessories made from different stones and gems which are a reflection of her playfulness through intricate flourishes.
“My designs — while conservative and for the sophisticated woman — is always playful and exciting. We are lovers of love and life, and so we should celebrate that in ways that brings us the most joy,” Ms. Lontok said in a press release.
The Criselda Lontok Holiday 2017 Collection is available at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri- La, Alabang, Gateway, and Cebu. —