Ellis Co, a young talented Filipino fashion designer that was influenced by brutalist fashion from the ‘50s and ‘60s and incorporated Japanese streetwear style, had offered an exclusive sneak peek of his debut Resort/Cruise collection for his high-fashion streetwear brand .ARCHIVES last June 29 at Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.
The event offered an exclusive preview of his meticulous preparations for his highly anticipated fashion show happening at Misibis Bay Resort on July 14.
Co, with a visionary perspective, perceived his designs as the “future of clothing.” At the sneak peek presentation, he showcased two significant designs from the forthcoming fashion show. He expressed that these two looks were merely the beginning, as there is much more to come. While they may appear different from his initial collection, Memoirs of the Future, from last year, a closer examination reveals the incorporation of new ideas while preserving the essence of .ARCHIVES’ DNA.
The Phases/Faces collection would include 22 looks, the first 21 of which pay homage to persons who have affected Co and creative director Aya Reika Mayani’s life. Co and Mayani’s point of view and individuality as young designers would be reflected in the final look.
Co shared with Manila Standard Life, “We wish to have our own store like we wish to get consigned internationally and you know have these fashion shows in like different countries but our main focus really is we’re just trying to be real to ourselves as artists. We want our looks to be not influenced by any commercial or financial influences or political influences. It’s just, you know, it’s just pure art and we’re just having fun with it.”
Co and his team used precise cutting, experimented with layered materials, and developed the characteristic lapel which was the focus of last year’s presentation. Keeping with neutrals, Phases/Faces will use more whites to complement light and airy hues to give the collection a particular personality.
Co said that he spent around two months making the garments. However, before beginning work on the collection, he began sketching his concepts. Co would go through his sketches and decide which ones would be used.
“Coming into every collection, it’s always our goal to express ourselves freely without the boundaries of you know, whatever outside influence. We express ourselves through the clothing and we are to us, (on) ourselves through the garments then whatever our emotions are at that time, whatever our personalities are at that time, as long as we continue doing that,” said Aya Reika Mayani, the .ARCHIVES creative director.
Co also claimed that the pieces are a “mixture of modern and experimental.” He also added that it was a fresh take on familiar silhouettes which they hope Gen Zs and Millennials will relate to.
Co also expressed his appreciation to everyone involved in the effort ahead of the fashion show at Misibis Bay Resort. He also said that the best asset of the resort is the beach, which they all agreed to utilize.
Co enlisted the help of fashion creative director Robby Carmona in order to bring his idea for the presentation to life. Co said that working with director Robby was a breeze and that he was receptive when Carmona listened to their ideas.
Co hired Bicol-based models for his hometown show to bring a touch of local character to the fashion show and aside from the local talent, last year’s models will also walk in the main presentation. Co also worked with makeup artist Violet Ocampo to produce basic and natural tones that portray a sumptuous vacation image and the show’s final look will be the only one that deviates from the rest of the collection.
“The show will be personal and an intimate showcase of looks. We did our best to inject and express our emotions in the garments, hoping to deliver a visceral impact to our audience,” Co said.
Co exclusively told Manila Standard Life that their team is already working on their website and mobile application which they’re planning to release next month during or after the much-awaited fashion show.