Metrowear Fantasy: Twelve Days of Christmas by John Herrera
Maybe this post is long overdue, maybe it's not. I'll stick with the latter since posting it right after the fashion show would give me a blog post about Christmas NOT in the Christmas month. HA! k fine, maybe I just didn't have time to post it earlier. But better late than never! :D
You've probably seen blog posts about this Metrowear Fantasy/Christmas gala everywhere! But I can assure you, it's none like what you're about to see here simply because I wasn't just a spectator. I was involved in the creation of the fourth and final collection showcased in the fashion show: John Herrera's "Twelve Days of Christmas."
*The photos I took during the show are in a friend's camera so forgive the camera-phone shots, and that these are from the rehearsal or back stage :( here's a video clip of John's collection during the rehearsal, without hair and makeup yet, but still breathtaking!
One of the most important things I've learned from interning for John Herrera is RESOURCEFULNESS. Since this Metrowear collection came just one month after PFW and we only had TWENTY days to make the WHOLE collection, we used some basic patterns from PFW, even deconstructed his old garments, and sir John created whole new garments out of those! I love how he can make something entirely new from something already existing, and no one even noticed! I've always believed fashion design isn't about extravagance and just showing how rich and popular a designer is. (I think it's a sickness in the Philippine fashion industry, untalented socialites being looked up to as "designers.") Fashion design is about having inimitable vision and making it come to life despite how limited your time or even resources are.
My favorite piece, and a product of a visionary's resourcefulness and creativity is this white dress with TWO TURTLE DOVES (yup, I sang that line in my head!)
*next 4 photos taken by my sister, Jilli
This white blazer and ribbon skirt number is another one close to my heart because i sewed on all its too-thick ribbons on the blazer for one whole day! (I work slow, okay?!) But another lesson from my amazing mentor is that haute couture is hard work, if not painful. Having experienced shedding blood, sweat, tears, and skin (literally!) firsthand made me appreciate even more how the best designers don't sacrifice fashion and art for convenience.
Don't you just adore the draping on this garment? John Herrera's mentor--the one and only Cary Santiago--was exceedingly proud of his remarkable avant garde collection. And so was I! Who but John Herrera could ever think of a gift-wrapping-detailed collection inspired by a Christmas song we all know? No one.
He even had a number inspired by gift-wrapping wine bottles! Just look at those sleeves and collar! Truly FANTASTIC, just as the entire gala called for. He truly out-fantasized everyone is this Fantasy gala, don't you agree? He really went all out, what with the hair and makeup, and the shoes to boot!
Heel-less Das Shoes without the ribbons we added for the show...
We all tried walking in them and all I can say is I applaud those 10 models who worked them on the runway like nothing! Boy, was it a feat! lol
And if you were wondering who was responsible for the HAIR ART for John Herrera's collection, here he is! Meet stylist and headpiece-maker/hair artist, Austeen Soriano!
Presents! Yay! Thank you Metrowear! And thank you Sir John for the Mac eye shadow and lipstick! #earlychristmasgifts
CONGRATULATIONS, Sir John! You're the big winner ;)