We're thinking Protacio's Panasonic Manila Fashion Festival 2018 collection is a dainty fusion of 1950s society soirees and Wes Anderson's cult classic Moonrise Kingdom—waltz right into New Penzance, why don't you? It's a dance invitation we're accepting, and the namesake label's designer Protacio Empaces is taking the lead.
Preview chatted him up behind the scenes at his latest runway show and learned a few interesting things about the pieces, including why his painstakingly intricate, handmade embroidery is the true belle of the ball. Read on!
What's the inspiration behind this collection?
"No inspiration, really. It's just that I've recalled all my worst and best creations, revised them, and made them new."
So it's essentially an archival collection?
"Yeah, more or less!"
Could you describe the collection to us?
"I have a set of embroiderers so every time I do a collection I make sure that there is embroidery in it. That's my signature and my advocacy. It's a fading art. So if you notice, I have [embroidery] on everything, all made from scratch at my atelier."
What kind of fabrics do you usually use?
"Anything that comes to mind, but then for this collection, most of my clothes are in this electric-fitted tulle. For the guys, mostly cotton, for cooler clothes. I have this interesting fabric also—a cotton jacquard I made a matching embroidery [design] for."
How many pieces do you have?
"Eight ladies' looks, and three for guys."
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