DESPITE the economic downturn, the local fashion scene was as dynamic as ever in 2008. Thanks to a creative, resourceful and passionate industry, new or reworked concepts (from specialty boutiques to the latest map shirts or afternoon tea shows) sprang to life.

Here are the things that made 2008 truly exciting:

C2 My Pilipinas shirts

Designer Rhett Eala took the Philippine map and made it the cornerstone of C2, the younger, hipper and now extremely popular spin-off of Collezione, that ?80s brand of T-shirts we all used to wear.

Eala also had a My Pilipinas exhibit of his modern paintings inspired by the Philippine map?incarnations in witty new styles. We absolutely loved the fun Murakami-ish designs he recently launched.

According to Eala, the shirts and dresses are flying off the racks.

For more info, check out http://collezione-c2.com.

Accessory Lab

This jewel box of a boutique is a treasure trove of fun, feminine, fantastic finds. Its main feature is a bridge line of pieces with semi-precious stones set in silver.

This new boutique has a whole range of offerings?18-karat classic gold pieces to jewelry that costs as low as P850. The store also carries designer jewelry by Daphne Oseña Paez, Candy B. Dizon, Janina D. Hoschka, Victoria and Beatrice, Benjamin Favored Son, Hoopla and I. Benjamin.

It?s probably the only place in Manila where you can score an almost-impossible-to-get Hermes Birkin bag (for now, anyway)! You can also chance upon new or pre-owned Louis Vuitton, Goyard and Chanel bags.

But what?s really special about the place is that the items are handpicked by the boutique?s well-traveled, resident style maven/baghag (checkout http://thebaghag.blogspot.com/).

Fitness.Fashion

High fashion married active wear in this groundbreaking event that featured some of Manila?s top designers such as Ivar Aseron, Rajo Laurel and Randy Ortiz, and top retail brands such as Adidas, Nike Golf, Speedo, Puma and Kipling.

Together with Samsung and with the cooperation of the Peninsula and the Waterfront hotel, Inquirer Lifestyle presented the show in both Manila and Cebu. Personalities like Senator Pia Cayetano, Waterfront GM Marco Protacio, jewelry designer Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and socialite Amparito Lhuillier were among the big names who gamely participated in the event.

Fashion Watch Quartet

Thanks to industry stalwart Inno Sotto and his team, many designers got to present their works in a yearlong series of shows at Makati Shangri-La.

Young designers like Gian Romero, favorites like Joey Samson and Ivar Aseron and well-loved master Cesar Gaupo, to name a few, took turns presenting collections in well-attended and well-covered shows presented with Nokia.

The series is a much-needed shot in the arm for Philippine fashion. Here?s to more, more, more of the same in 2009.

50 must-buys in Manila

Want to know where you can get a really nice barong made? Or are you searching for the best organic bread in Manila? ?50 Must-Buys in Manila? answers these questions and a lot more.

Jeweler Janina Dizon Hoschka and top stylist Michael Salientes compiled some of the best 100-percent locally-made but cutting-edge products and services in this invaluable guide. Known for their discerning tastes, the authors and their shopaholic friends scoured the metro for the best of the best in categories like clothing, home, food and drink.

Experience a wonderful representation of Manila?s shopping scene. ?It?s not all about fashion. We also featured food, products like homemade candles, handmade toys and musical instruments,? said Salien-tes.

You?ll also find accessories by Bea Valdez, Celestina clutches by Tina Ocampo, cocktail wear made of hand-painted barong material by Puey Quiñones and hats by Mich Dulce.

Available in Fully Booked and Powerbooks.

Project Runway Philippines

I?m not saying this because I was a judge in Project Runway Philippines (PRP) season 1. I do believe the show is a great way to showcase Philippine talent and ingenuity. Based on the public?s response, Solar Entertainment was spot-on when it franchised this top-rating reality show.

There?s nothing like television to increase the reach of something like fashion, which is often viewed as elitist. Plus, it?s a foolproof way to promote designers on a bigger scale.

Here?s to discovering more talent in PRP season 2. Hopefully, we?ll find someone who?d truly knock us off our feet.

Email the author at afashion@inquirer.com.ph