FASHION WATCH SUMMER 2012: JOJIE LLOREN

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The veteran designer soars into a lighter mood with a flight-inspired summer collection.

By Jae Pickrell Sep 16, 2011

If there is one thing to be said about veteran Filipino designer Jojie Lloren's work, it is that it's always impeccable. Regardless of his seasonal inspirations—be it tragic (as his wrath of nature-inspired lineup last season) or buoyant (as this summer's flight-inspired series), his garments always have that element of timelessness that can be quite elusive in today's world of fast fashion.

Streamlined silhouettes of classic shifts and long, flowy dresses are punctuated with playful cutouts and folded embellishments in an array of neutral and spice colors. A saffron-colored halter dress in dupioni silk is a marvel in construction, what with its triangular tucks in front and geometric panels at the back. A cinnamon long dress is naughty with its deep d�colletage and quirky with its origami shoulders, which simultaneously lift the silhouette and allude to the collection's flight inspiration. Meanwhile, the high-waist trousers with thin suspenders brings back a classic menswear style in a fresh and invigorating apple green hue—it's wearable to this day. A styling tip: pair it with a semi-sheer long-sleeved button-down to balance the garment's thorough skin coverage.

Giving the collection an added punch of color and texture are the feather headdresses of the models who opened and closed the show. Backstage, we caught a peek at Fashion Watch hair and makeup maestro Patrick Rosas nimbly tucking the eye-catching assortment of feathers into the models' ultra-high ponytails. While this takes the designer's flight inspiration quite literally, the stylistic plumage is spectacular, nonetheless, giving the summer lineup the requisite drama that is the hallmark of Jojie's collections, whether inspired by tragedy or bright optimism.