Welcoming guests and his most loyal clientele to his home-slash-atelier in Makati, fashion designer Puey Quiñones’ presentation of his holiday 2024 collection was as up close and personal as it gets. Held last June, this intimate showcase offered a unique and exclusive experience for attendees.

“My collection is my homage to the great designers of the 1950s and beyond; even the concept of the show is very ‘50s,” the Samar native tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. Back in that post-World War II decade, models in designer creations walked up to rows of seated guests, which mainly consisted of the designer’s clients, department store buyers, and a few editors.

“I want people to see how the quality of work is done. I want them to feel and touch it, just like how designers used to do it in the golden years,” he says, referring to the ‘50s era. His statement pieces draw inspiration from this iconic decade.

“I’m showing you silhouettes that are not the usual ‘Puey,’ such as cinched waistlines,” explains the designer. He also highlighted the use of fabrics he sourced from his recent trips to Italy and the United States, mixed with traditional local weaves and customized prints.

Puey’s 12-piece collection showcased a wide variety of his creations—from his signature playful bubble hems and ruchings in structured taffeta fabric to soft, flowing draped gowns in delicate chiffon. The collection also included figure-hugging serpentina dresses that exude an old-world glamor vibe, and tailored but modern suits with pleated jusi accents for men.

After the models' tableau at the end, each of them walked towards the select crowd, showcasing Puey's exquisite craftsmanship up close. The designer stayed on to mingle and answer any questions his guests had, discussing their favorite pieces and how they could tweak them to create custom Puey Quiñones designs.

This intimate and nostalgic presentation allowed guests to experience Puey's dedication to quality and innovation firsthand. The holiday 2024 collection not only paid homage to the golden era of fashion but also demonstrated Puey Quiñones' ability to blend tradition with modernity, leaving everyone eager for his next collections.

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