By Dara Clariza Evangelista
When two of the country’s most beloved designers come together, sparks are bound to fly. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Plains & Prints invited Mark Bumgarner and Vania Romoff to create a capsule collection that brings their distinct aesthetics into the everyday wardrobes of Filipinas. The result is as charming as it is effortless.
From the start, the collaboration felt natural for both designers.
“It was a no-brainer to say yes,” Mark shared, recalling how quickly they found their rhythm. Vania, who has previously worked with Plains & Prints on three occasions, was just as enthusiastic.
“I’ve never collaborated with another fashion designer for a retail brand before, so this felt new and exciting,” she said. Despite their differing signatures, the two never had to worry about “meeting halfway.” Everything, from the silhouettes to the color stories, clicked into place with ease.
Their styles shine through in every piece. Vania brings her signature romance: sculpted bows, softly puffed sleeves, playful polka dots, and skirts with a graceful drop waist. Mark balances her softness with structure, infusing the lineup with bubble hems, precise ruching, and floral flourishes that echo his couture sensibilities. The tension between their approaches creates harmony, pieces that feel elevated but approachable, glamorous yet wearable.
As Mark put it, “The challenge was to simplify my usual construction while keeping the visual impact.” For someone known for crisp boning and dramatic ballgown silhouettes, this shift was deliberate. “It’s very easy to wear, which is not my forte,” he admitted with a laugh.
Vania’s favorite? “The bias cut full skirt in polka dot taffeta,” she revealed. “It’s feminine and wearable, something you can easily incorporate into your existing wardrobe.” That sense of fun and flexibility runs through the entire collection, which includes eleven styles in multiple colorways, plus embroidered tees as cheeky add-ons. Ultimately, their goal was simple: to create beautiful clothes that celebrate Filipino design while making every woman feel like her most stylish self.
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