Photo by NOEL PABALATE

Project Runway Philippines First Season winner Aries Lagat took his deft, tailored signature lines into the other end of the spectrum with softer shapes and draped silhouettes.  Proving that he has technical skills, be it structured or in graceful folds, Lagat came up with a 10-piece Holiday collection that revolved around the hottest color for the season, dusky browns and dark chocolate.

But it wasn’t only the tones that set off Lagat’s collection, it was also the play on form. Ombre tank dresses, tops and frocks with pattern precision cuts and deliberate folds, one-shoulder, Grecian pieces that sinuously cling and mold, and the pièce de résistance, a ruched, asymmetric almost black, liquid-shine frock that’s a tweaked, slanted, bold brushstroke—a one-shoulder dress with slashed sleeves that’s finished with a diagonal drop waist and contrasting diagonal slit. Brilliant. 

Lagat’s vision has always been about mastery of technique in clean forms, and it still is quite evident even with him venturing into volume and drapes.  With his client base used to his tailored lines, this new and softer collection brings in an exciting alternative. Possibly also tapping into newer demographics. 

Fashion will always be about change, and Aries Lagat not only manages to keep his aesthetics intact, he’s managed to evolve it into the next level.