Get Halloween style inspo from Fida’s experts

There’s no better time to let loose than on Halloween. Aside from the lineup of scary flicks to watch and wild parties to attend, the ultimate highlight of Halloween are the costumes, whether it’s the all-out horror and macabre ones or the fantasy, cutesy versions. However, it can be a challenge to come up with a fresh new costume every year. For a little inspiration, SunStar Weekend enlisted the help of the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts Cebu (Fida). Meet four Fashion Technology students (and budding forces in fashion) featuring their designs for the spookiest season of the year.

*The Fashion Institute of Design and Arts Cebu is located on the second floor of One Pavilion Mall, R. Duterte St., Banawa, Cebu City.

Claude Mari Bautista, 21

What is your aesthetic as a designer? I like streetwear and utilitarian aesthetics. Edgy and clean silhouettes in dark or neutral tones. Describe your Halloween look. What is your inspiration for this? My look for Halloween is inspired by Frankenstein’s monster. The look is worn down and “patched up” much like the character himself. This is how I visualize the monster if it became human after several experiments. Now, he imitates the doctor and puts together his own lab gown to seem more human. Although he hides his face, you can still tell that he was the lab rat of the doctor because of the screw in his head. What do you love about Halloween? Looking for costumes and planning different looks have always been really interesting for me since I was a kid. I also love the fact that people get to dress up and express themselves during Halloween.

Miles Oliver Lorejo, 28

What is your aesthetic as a designer? I can say that my design aesthetic hovers between opposite sides of the spectrum. I can go from minimalist, neat, tailored and masculine one day to sexy, devious, sensual and feminine the next. Describe your Halloween look. What is your inspiration for this? My Halloween look is very daring, head-turning and neck-breaking. I took inspiration from the classic Pink Panther. Of course, it’s pink. I can see myself wearing something like this. It’s latex or leather. It’s glossy. It’s sexy and playful but not cheap. What do you love about Halloween? I don’t usually celebrate Halloween but now that I'm a grown-up, I love that it’s the season when everyone can dress sexy without being judged.

Janine Cristina R. Mendez, 27

What is your aesthetic as a designer? It’s trendy and feminine. I’m also into grunge and Tokyo fashion. In short, eclectic. Describe your Halloween look. What is the inspiration for this? Glam rock alien, inspired by Megamind. He is an extraterrestrial mastermind who turns from super villain to superhero. I chose this character because I didn't want a costume that's common and I made it into a female version because I wanted it to be extra different. I like Megamind's personality because he is smart and funny yet awkward and clumsy. The things we have in common are the love for dancing and dressing up. What do you love about Halloween? It’s having fun dressing up as someone else or being whoever or whatever you want to be, plus having the freedom to express and surprise people with your creativity!

Hannah Mae Callano, 20

What is your aesthetic as a designer? Being edgy has always been my aesthetic when it comes to designing. I love exaggerating the sleeves and corsets. I always want to look cool and sexy at the same time. Describe your Halloween look. What is your inspiration for this? It is a two-piece garment that consists of a crop top plaid corset with puffed off-shoulder sleeves, plaid shorts with a one-leg harness and knee-high army boots with matching net thigh-high socks. To complete the look, I accessorized it with a crown, a choker stake necklace and an ax-inspired bag. It’s inspired by Marceline from Adventure Time, my favorite animated television series. She is a fun-loving 1,000-year old vampire queen who plays an electric bass that she made from her family’s heirloom battle ax. What do you love about Halloween? I like seeing people dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes. I also like Halloween because I can experience a good scare without being at risk of real danger.