The historic 1929 White House of Davao City’s first ever City Engineer who later became a Mayor, Alfonso Gallardo Oboza, is otherwise known as the Oboza Heritage House with its well-maintained garden. Last September 6, 2023, Davao’s fashionistas, both young and mature, led by the entrepreneurial sisters Cindy and Camille Yap of Chimes Boutiques fame, launched Plains & Prints X Mark Nicdao/ Manila Collection. The exclusive by invitation-only preview shopping experience event was held at the Tola
Kan-anan sa Balay Oboza no less. The admirable fashion collection features images of historic Manila captured by Manila’s respected photographer, Mark Nicdao, on the fabrics of the stylish dresses.
“There is so much history, heritage, and culture that you could actually show and remind people of how important Manila is…Together with Manila’s local government agencies and Mark Nicdao, this undertaking is a clear realization of the brand’s commitment to Philippine culture and heritage. More than just making a collection, we want to make a difference,” said Plains & Prints Founder Roxanne Farillas (along with her husband Erickson) on the significant development of a collaboration for the brand which is distinctly Filipino from its fine workmanship to its sensibilities. And Plains & Prints’ latest fashion collection couldn’t have chosen a better venue for its special launch in Davao City than at the equally historic Oboza House of Heritage which had housed visiting Presidents, a fugitive senator hiding from Japanese soldiers during WWII, and many other prominent citizens of the “Land of Promise” in decades past.
After years of isolation owing to the dreaded Coronavirus disease, siblings Cindy, Clark and Camille Yap, who were in the loving company of their mom, Mother Lily Yap, warmly welcomed the excited guests, mostly Chimes loyalists, with bright smiles on their faces. How I miss Chimes’ Ia Alano-Vergel de Dios and Renren Panerio vda. de Villena who were not around that time for their added signature hospitality.
Best known as a celebrity photographer, Mark Nicdao is a top professional in the field whose photographs have been featured in both local and foreign publications. For the Plains & Prints X Mark Nicdao collection, the ace photographer creatively captured images of Paco Park, Rizal Park, The Metropolitan Theater, Intramuros and the National Museum. His shots were simply breathtaking that I suddenly felt sentimental being reminded of my long years of studies in the “City of Man.” Yes, Manila was then “glamourized” under Imelda Romualdez-Marcos’ dictatorial Imeldific vision. I truly miss Manila and how I wish I could once again explore the “True, the Good, and the Beautiful” in the “City of Man.”
Looking through the impressive Plains & Prints collection worn by Davao’s Glam Models by Jon Nunez during the brief fashion show, I had the impression that the Plains & Prints fashion silhouettes were inspired by the classic fashion of the 1950s which was a casual day-to-day style where women prioritized elegance, formality and well-matched fashion accessories. For indeed, fashionable as well in the past were novel prints and colors which marked playfulness in fashion as they still do today. Timeless Plains & Prints fashion has always followed the feminine line while incorporating new elements through the fashion seasons. Sadly, Plains & Prints’ muse, Anne Curtis, was not in Davao to celebrate Tourism Month in collaboration with Plains & Prints X Mark Nicdao/Manila fashion collection as they did in Manila.
Tola’s Tricie Pengson-Arcenas was on hand providing the guests with itsy-bitsy servings of such culinary delights like beef empanada, sisig pan de sal, ensaladang suha, pancit palabok, chicken inasal, grilled tuna; and ending with buko ice drop of yesteryears and sapin-sapin. The calamansi-lemon grass juice was, indeed, refreshing.
Do check out the latest Plains & Prints X Mark Nicdao/Manila fashion collection at Chimes Boutiques.
