The fashion must-haves of Summer 2013: Colorful bikinis and sheer cover-ups

It was a dark and stormy night outside the SMX Convention Center, but inside it was a celebration of bright, hot, sunny summer as models hit the catwalk wearing the spring-summer collections for Philippine Fashion Week.

The collections were a riot of color and skin, with vividly hued swimsuits, sheer cover-ups, and power accessorizing that anticipated the much-awaited heat of the sun and the beach.

Among the designers who screamed “I can’t wait for summer” was Dax Bayani, whose 30-set swimwear collection is driven by pattern and color—with swimsuits, bikinis, and swimming trunks in tones of pink, yellow, purple, and blue.

Bayani had been inspired by the traditional costumes of southern Mexico, and it was evident in his multi-colored polyester and chiffon patterns tailored in modern high-waist and high-cut bikinis that are pretty much the “in style” this season.

The styling of his collection—cool purple turbans, animal-print scarves wrapped around the models’ heads, chunky bangles and strappy shoes—vibrated a funky, fun take on a beach lover who enjoys walking along the beach but does not want to dive in because her ensemble is just cool and glamorous.

Gerry Katigbak presented an eye-catching cover-up collection inspired by eclectic Asian influences.

The beat of Japanese warrior-like music preceded his collection and the crowd started applauding. As dramatic as it was, it was a breath of fresh air to have an all-white show opener— two male models dressed in soft organza tops with intricate bead details walked down the runway to introduce the start of Katigbak’s show. They were followed by two female models holding Japanese parasols and dressed in chiffon cover-ups with lace and bead details.




The designer’s 45-piece cover-up collection started light and took its time before transitioning into something dark. The clothes have really fine beadings on the neck area, the wrists, and the hemlines.

Furthermore, Katigbak’s finale was just as dramatic as his show opener. Now in an all-black, one-piece swimsuit with sequined details beneath a flowy, soft organza kimono-like striped cover-up, the female model posed at the start of the runway while waiting to be escorted by two male models only wearing black sequined swimming trunks.

The two swimwear collections have different aesthetics— Katigbak’s sophisticated lighter tones and garments against Bayani’s splash of color evoking an eagerness to start the summer party—but both with pieces any woman would love to wear, from day to night. — BM, GMA News

Official photos of Philippine Fashion Week