MANILA, Philippines?It was intriguing to see how Gian Romano, known for his avant-garde style, would fare in this week?s Fashion Watch Quartet. Makati Shangri-La?s opulent interiors didn?t seem like the right backdrop for the designer?s edgy pieces. A bare, deconstructed warehouse in Malate would be a better fit to showcase Romano?s work. But then that would be such a cliché, wouldn?t it?

As expected, the Lobby Lounge proved to be way too busy a venue to serve as a fitting foil for Romano?s ultra-modern collection. But in a rare feat, the designer, who studied Menswear Design in London?s Central St. Martins and who apprenticed with Threeasfour in New York, managed to take this viewer?s mind away from such details?beyond all the hustle and bustle?to truly appreciate his outstanding work.

Romano?s collection entitled ?Stutter Oblete? was inspired by the movie ?Stargate,? an early 90?s science fiction film that centered around a planet inhabited by humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worshipped the god Ra. As such, the designer presented a 45-piece collection comprised of armor-ish jackets and dresses for women juxtaposed with a men?s collection that had a more modern military feel.

Far from ordinary

The designer opted to play around with neutral colors like taupe, beige, gray and black while combining materials like jersey, stretch twill, and satin to bring his vision to life. Each of Romano?s creations had interesting yet subtle details that made them far from ordinary. Zippers were used cleverly while diagonal and circular seams elevated the basics to ultra-fashionable must-haves.

Romano used pleats and drapes, including cowl draping for men. He also mixed various fabrics to create contrast. Mesh inserts, for example, were used in quite a number of his pieces. His combination of jersey for stretch-ability and stiffer fabrics for body made for an appealing mix, as well.

Romano, who is also a stylist by profession, did an impeccable job creating a total look to complement his designs. His choice of makeup (bronzed and dewy), hair (clean and pulled-back), footwear (modern and sexy wraparounds in nude and grey), and accessories (bunched up nude nylons) were as flawless as the details and workmanship of his pieces.

The designer?s choice of models, male models to be more specific, was also a point of interest. Instead of casting pretty boys with well-toned, muscular bodies, Romano opted to book gangly, ultra-skinny, androgynous looking characters that uncannily fit the bill perfectly?and looked unconventionally good in the designer?s skinny jackets and trousers with extra-long crotches.

Some might argue that Romano?s designs are hardly wearable and only suited for those with model figures. This may be true to a certain extent, but through ?Stutter Oblete,? Romano has proven that he can stay true to himself while balancing the cutting-edge with a certain amount of wearability.

Okay, okay, so his pieces are still not for everyone. But the brave and fashion-forward will clearly be thrilled with them.

E-mail the author at afashion@inquirer.com.ph