An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Splashes of yellow or aqua blue are on unique patterns. They flow on the female form naturally. Thin materials are overlaid on other fabrics creating sheen and an interesting texture. Arcy Gayatin was moved by the fabrics that she discovered. She went beyond this by creating newer patterns by deconstructing tweed and other materials.

An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Gayatin featured her most recent collection at the Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Hotel Makati last May 26, 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 June 23.

An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista. The model is Ria Bolivar.

Arcy Gayatin (in striped skirt holding flowers) during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Gayatin described her experience, “It’s an honor to be invited to Fashion Watch. I did Fashion Watch before. In fact I was part of the first Fashion Watch with the late Richard Tan. Actually it opened a lot of doors for me. That’s why I can’t say ‘no’ when I was invited again. It also gives you the freedom to create. When designers present a collection they don’t think of the clientele, just what they think is good. Unlike with made to order you design for a particular client.” The companies involved have shown their support for Filipino designers: Olay is presenter of Fashion Watch in cooperation with Metro Pacific Investments and BMW. Media partners include:  The Phil Star, Star World, Preview and Stylebible.ph

An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

It takes a woman to know what she wants to wear and look. Arcy concedes to having simplicity and comfort in her designs. “Yes it’s not complicated. That’s the advantage of women designers because we know what’s good for us. You have to mind the portion and the balance of what a woman should wear.” The result, dresses that flow and hang comfortably in flattering manner.

The Arcy Gayatin collection during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fabrics also play an important role in inspiring her. “Jersey, leather, chiffon and tweed, it’s really about fabrication and textures that’s what my collection is really all about. I like contrasting elements marriage of opposites.  I especially like doing a lot of fabrication using tweed. I discovered a lot of textures out of tweed by tweaking threads out of it. Then the different patterns also came out.”

An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

She also explains the combination of thin materials over a darker layer, “The flowers were not hand painted they were another fabric, silk on leather. The yellow was a lining it became a see through thing but the pattern is there. That’s what I meant when I said contrasting elements, the yin and yang, male and female.”

An Arcy Gayatin creation during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Her clothes definitely have the sophistication for a wider market, “I’d like to think that my clothes can be international. I can see them in 5^th avenue or Park avenue New York, maybe even Paris.” Prospective Filipino and international clients can contact this very talented Cebu based designer via her website at www.arcygayatin.com.

From left: designer Arcy Gayatin and Lulu Tan Gan during Fashion Watch Quartet held at the Lobby Lounge of Shang Rila Makati last May 26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista