Long dress with halter top in matte gold square sequinned fabric, cut in the bias, with flowing silhouette
The pandemic and numerous lockdowns definitely affected a lot of businesses, and the local fashion industry was among the hardest hit. One designer in particular, Joel Escober, was not spared. Like many in the industry, he was forced to close down his atelier. One is considered lucky if you closed only temporarily; others were not so fortunate and had to close indefinitely.
Lucky for Escober, his closure was temporary.
And he was not idle during the halting of businesses. During the pandemic, a lot went on quietly, and the hustle and bustle was in social media. Escober was actually seeing action behind the scenes. At the start of the lockdowns, he tried to make sense of it all, especially when he had to break the news to his staff that production would have to stop.
As the pandemic raged on, Escober discovered gardening. It became his creative outlet. He started taking care of aloe vera and cacti, since they’re easy to maintain. Then he started taking care of philodendrons. “I found them very interesting and also very current.” Escober explains that this particular plant is very popular among gardening enthusiasts.
Then he started collecting different kinds of pine, from the local variety to Italian pines. “Buying and collecting plants, for example, seeing the structure and form of the bonsai or any other plants, opened up a new passion in me as an artist,” Escober said.
Halter top with big bias accent neckline in soft blush metallic fabric, with metal chains as dangling accents in lace appliqués
“As an artist I try to create a story, seeing my series of plants as a collection in itself,” Escober added. He experienced how grouping them could be a new challenge, turning the driveway of his atelier into a curated jungle. Now they welcome his clients who are steadily coming back. Some even end up buying his plants. His bigger plant collection is in the family rest house in Batangas, where he would drives often since the pandemic started.
Flora has always been the source of inspiration for his fashion design aesthetic, and it is visible in his use of lace, appliqués, and other embellishments. Some of these elements are evident in these pieces Escober made exclusively for TheDiarist.ph, modeled by Miss Universe Singapore 2021 Nandita Banna.
Sleeveless top with keyhole neckline, with soft serpentine skirt silhouette in soft matte gold mocha sequinned fabric, with appliqués in jewel green
Photography: Charles Lu
Styling: Luis Carlo San Juan
Makeup: Theresa Padin
Hairstyle: Darwin Sinel
Model: Miss Universe Singapore 2021 Nandita Banna
Shot on location: City of Dreams Manila
Videography: luluxcompany
Special thanks to Charisse Chuidian, Romina Gervacio, Valerie Lim and Harley Tan
