|
By Amiel Aguilar, Cabanlig
 |
 |
|
Inspired
by Zamboanga Sibugay,
a spiral cut stretch tulle afternoon
dress and shagreen bag |
On a recent trip to New York, I had the chance
to meet up with my college classmate whom I hadn’t seen in
decades. A native New Yorker after living there for 20 years, George
Gozum had acquired an artist-chic look including its predominantly black colour palette. I was in
quandary on what to give him as a fashionable present, getting him
anything from his favourite brand Rick Owens was not an option.
Remembering that I had brought with me an exquisite hand-woven
headscarf from Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao, I presented it to him
as I watched how its colorful intricacy, original woven patterns and
unquestionable novelty overwhelmed him. Very appreciative, he wears
the Subanen scarf now as accent piece for his summer wardrobe. —Oj
Hofer
The recollection above shared by acclaimed
Philippine fashion designer Oj Hofer is a simple testament to the
global appeal of our country’s rich culture. From tribal chic
to urban style, Hofer’s latest collection is a
veritable homage to Filipiniana and Indigenous artistry, elegantly
updated for the modern man or woman.
Unveiled at the recently concluded Fashion Watch
Quartet series, the twenty five piece collection of this Cebu-based
designer was eye-catching, innovative and unfeigned. Drawing
inspiration from the Subanen people of the province of Zamboanga
Sibugay, Hofer demonstrated his unique palate for style, form and
function which is effortlessly designed for real people.
“I don’t really consider myself to be a red
carpet designer,” Hofer humbly says when asked about his
southern-inspired resort wear showcase. “I am a designer for real
people and for me, the red carpet is an illusion just as the
‘self’ is.”
Modest but undeniably honed in his craft,
Subanen was a colorful contrast to other collections in the series
which played on the starkness of monochromatic blacks and whites.
Each glimpse of Ofer’s creations conjured flavors of Zamboanga’s
southern charm; tropical flowers, exotic spices, azure skies and
seas, and austere clouds. With themes such as “Ylang–ylang sa
Ipil,” “Agar-agar sa Buluan,” ” Suba sa Siay” and “Mga
Panganud sa Kapitolyo,” the visual luxuriousness and endemic
simplicity of the Subanen peoples stole the style spotlight that
evening in the Queen City of the South.
Clean silhouettes accented by well thought of
minutiae such as woven bodices, banig-like detailing were all
focuses of Oj Hofer’s Subanen resort wear presentation. However,
the voluminous qualities of certain pieces in his collection coupled
with the vivid play of tropical colors alluded to a refreshing
native playfulness of what Hofer calls a “provincial paradise.”
Punctuating Ofer’s designs were the exquisite
jewelry of New York-based designer, Greg Urra. His play of river
pearls and gold filigree completed the Global Tribe look to a
fashionable tee.
|
