Patrice’ Sporty Innovation at FWQ

Posted on September 29, 2011

Model Grendel Alvarado wears a Patrice Ramos Diaz with accessories by designer Joyce Oreña. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Patrice Ramos-Diaz showed her innovative streak when she used materials like dry fit and lycra for extremely feminine evening wear. Both materials are used for sportswear ranging from Azkals’ uniforms to running shorts even swim wear. The result is stylish dresses that allow women to move and work reflecting their active lifestyles.

Models sport designs by Patrice Ramos Diaz and Joyce Oreña (accessories) while wearing sneakers. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

center (in black dress) Patrice Ramos Diaz and accessory designer Joyce Oreña (in grey). I like Ria Bolivar’s bright smile (in lime green beside Patrice). Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Patrice showed her collection at the Fashion Watch Quartet series at the Lobby Lounge Makati Shang Rila last September 22, 2011. Fashion fanatics can get a preview of the best Filipino designer’s works by attending high tea for P810 every Thursday from 3-6pm. This year’s series began last April 14 and will run until November. The companies involved have shown their support for Filipino designers: Makati Shang Rila, Metro Pacific Investments and BMW. Media partners include: The Phil Star, Star World, Preview and Stylebible.ph.

Although the materials are usually made for sports, her collection isn’t. She said, “A lot of the pieces take off from T-shirts with a play on the silhouette, made into more stylish pieces. They’re actually leisure wear for active women like me.”

Ces Drilon couldn’t resist shooting a few pics with her cell. She’s lending support to her talented sister, accessories designer Joyce Oreña who created her own brand “Jo”. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

In order to bring out the best in the fabrics she used different techniques, “All the materials are dry fit including the more elegant pieces. So it was experimentation on the material trying to push it in a different direction. Normally the material is used for sportswear. Using a very casual material like dry fit I played with draping. The silhouettes were slouchy because I wanted a relaxed feel. If you noticed the range of the material can go from very casual all the way to very elegant evening wear. That’s my attempt in trying to offer something fresh and something new.”

Ladies in sneakers: from left designer Patrice Ramos Diaz with accessories designer Joyce Oreña. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

For this collection Patrice collaborated with Joyce Oreña for the accessories. Patrice relates, “When I tell Joyce, ‘this is what I want to make, this is what I have in mind’ she comes up with something that is the perfect color, the perfect mix, the perfect treatment and materials. In fact for this one we were just communicating through text or phone calls. By the time we met. She had her accessories and I had my clothes, everything matched.”

I surprised designer, musician Kate Torralba using her Canon G12. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Model Owen Rebosano wears a Patrice Ramos Diaz with accessories by designer Joyce Oreña. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

A model sport designs by Patrice Ramos Diaz and Joyce Oreña (accessories). Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Patrice also explained that the dresses can be worn with sneakers or heels. There’s a certain amount of versatility. Tretorns and Melissa were worn by models for the show. “I wanted something dressy but not too dressy. Something that looks fashionable in terms of shape and style. But I didn’t want it to look like the red carpet type shoes. With this collection it’s not your usual type of clothes. It was very difficult to find the right shoe. When Melissa emailed me the style, everything was perfect too.”

Model Ria Bolivar wears a Patrice Ramos Diaz creation in the finale that accessories designer Joyce Oreña also wore to the Fashion Ball. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

far right: (in black dress) Patrice Ramos Diaz and accessory designer Joyce Oreña (in grey). Ria Bolivar is in lime green beside Patrice. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Producers of Fashion Watch Quartet have gotten the best people which include Patrick Rosas for Hair and make up, Grace Molina as Project Coordinator and Director and Inno Sotto as Creative Director. Patrice added, “Fashion Watch Quartet is a very good platform to show the market what you’re into, what you’re creating for the season. Clients come because it’s High Tea. And it’s actually a good venue to sell your collections.” FWQ will also stage special shows as several internationally known ASEAN designers will be flown in to display their collections to the Filipino public.

from left: Jo Anne Mira, Joyce Oreña, Dr. Rajesh Vyas Regional Medical officer and Medical Attaché of the U.S. Embassy, ABS CBN broadcaster Ces Oreña-Drilon, Kshama Vyas and Anthony Mira Attaché, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. Photo was taken during Fashion Watch Quartet at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shang Rila Hotel last September 22, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista