THE FOCUS

Slim's Fashion & Arts School continues its tradition of exhibiting exemplary student work. YStyle gives you an exclusive look.

I t is not possible to go through local fashion history without familiarizing oneself with legendary couturier Salvacion Lim Higgins. Hers is a refined technique, beyond design and concept, evident throughout her body of work; a four-decade-long legacy, such as her oneseam ternos that have impacted the way we perceive beautiful design to this day. But it is in founding Slim’s Fashion & Arts School 55 years ago that she has secured the evolution of our national costume by passing on to the next generation of designers her zoomed-in approach that trains the eye and heart to execute complex construction and a vision worthy of this labor. Slim’s counts Oskar Peralta (top student in 1961), Joe Salazar, Cesar Gaupo, Oliver Tolentino, and current favorites Michael Cinco and Joey Samson as some of its graduates.

With Slim's co-directors Mark and Sandy Higgins carrying on its annual tradition of showcasing this school year’s student work as exhibits, doing away with the usual runway show instills in its students a focus on the quality of their work rather than the production effects of a show, this year’s Slim’s Student Exhibit entitled “Contrast” serves as a descriptor.

We see garments that are tailored into a flowing silhouette, no shying away from putting colors from the opposite sides of the spectrum together, and creating form by putting together textures that are rough and smooth, hard and light. See it for yourself as it opens tomorrow at the Mega Fashion Hall. SM Megamall has been a consistent venue to the exhibit, allowing its big foot traffic of mall-goers to take their time as they examine the intricate details of each piece up close.

The courses at Slim’s are modular, allowing students to focus on one or two in-depth courses at a time, which include Fashion Design, Draping, Patternmaking and Tailoring. The menswear on display designed and made by the school’s Bespoke Tailoring students is a refreshing addition. We are given a glimpse at what’s next for the field — that creativity blooms within the foundations established by the stringent British tailoring techniques taught in the course. We have for ourselves an ambitious breed. No loose, shapeless pieces here.

*** Catch the Slim’s Student Exhibit from Oct. 1 to 7 at SM Fashion Hall in SM Megamall. Go to www. slimsfashion.com for more information or check Slim’s Fashion & Arts School (Official Page) on Facebook.

Krista Macatangay went RTW-ready by layering a striped button down with a statement collar matching a skirt (worn as a peplum) over a sweetheart neckline dress.

Alley Magtibay cuts out a tailored houndstooth with a punch of fuschia and a show of skin.

Nela Fornier’s Issey Miyake-inspired terno features contrasting colors through pleated panels and an elaborately sculpted terno sleeve.

Merri Chan displays her draping and embellishment prowess in a floor-length number.

JP Olivas presents a tailored jacket with peplum and slashed sleeves, its lace inserts peeping through.

Rusanne Casela uses multi-textured brocades to form a structured origami-inspired dress with a braided detail at the back.

Diorelle Sy created a piña barong as a David Bowie tribute featuring a jabot with Bowie’s portrait at the back, lyrics and other details hand-embroidered by Sy herself.

Celeste Volfango’s classic barong features laser-cut alibata motifs.

Karen Mangilit embellished her Yves Klein blue barong with a contrasting ethnic-inspired and a double collar.