LOOK AT THESE STUNNING YOUNG ladies who were dressed so cool to beat the humidity outside Rustan?s Makati, whose second floor showed the latest house brand?s summer collection: The models were carrying numbers like in the couture shows in Paris during the 1950s, and clients were readying their respective lists should they wish to see their chosen numbers after the show.

The Rustan?s collection started with shorter lengths and bare arms. Then there were mixing and ?mismatching? pieces so that they could look like the latest fashion from Paris, New York and London. That didn?t mean Recession Chic. Look for instance at the shoes the ladies wore: Fringed open-toed booties, flat patent thongs and tropical printed bangles. Plus the ?It? bags.

Over all, the fashion was balanced and bankable. It showed the magical ways Metro Manila women dress to express themselves amid the economic crisis.