Manila Wear 2014

Why Manila Wear? One of the more relevant issues of Philippine fashion is design translation into the contemporary. Culture and tradition is reinvented and transformed into modern creations fitting for the times.  This branding initiative aimed to position the industry in the global resort/tropical market is a visionary  step in showcasing local artistry at its best.  Lead by international fashion icon Josie Natori, it umbrellas the countries more established and seasoned designers in showcasing artisanal creations made from fusion of both basic and Philippine materials. A reflection of the beauty of Filipino talent and sensibilities, the insightful movement is a progressive and optimistic approach on style relevance in the local industry. This collective of outstanding artists aims to present masterpieces defining the current  nowness of style individuality and more significantly promoting cultural preservation. Manila wear is fashion forward with a strong design statement of better things to come.

Rhett Eala.

Rhett Eala.

Avel Bacudio.

Avel Bacudio.

Ivar Aseron.

Ivar Aseron.

JC Buendia.

JC Buendia.

Cesar Gaupo.

Cesar Gaupo.

Rajo Laurel.

Rajo Laurel.

Dennis Lustico.

Dennis Lustico.

Randy Ortiz.

Randy Ortiz.

Lulu Tan Gan.

Lulu Tan Gan.

Check out Fashion Philippines' Manila Wear's last day of exhibition at the 60th Manila FAME Level 2 SMX Convention Center, Metro Manila.

A different kind of weave

Last week the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines announced the finalists in both accessories and RTW for their "Weaving the Future" design competition held at JUMP--the new hub at the 4F SM Megamall.  Philippine fashion goes beyond all that flash as it steers towards developing consciousness in the style landscape by integrating the building of livelihood for fashion and supporting these communities.  Through these efforts, promotion of both talent and indigenous materials are achieved so as to support their significance and relevance to the future of local fashion.  Hand in hand, the event was graced by both media and fashion insiders to further this noble endeavor.  The bigger picture here is really for the industry to collectively work as one team in the hopes of building a brighter future for artists, suppliers, communities in the world of Philippine fashion.  And yes, fashion does have a cause.

The venue.

The crowd.

Fashion designer's Ivarluski Aseron and Tippie Ocampo with Stylebible's Isha Andaya.

Fashion stylist/director Lotho.

Style Weekend EIC Liza Ilarde Cuenca and Look magazine's EIC Mel Cuevas.

Designer Vic Barba.

Designer's Avel Bacudio and Randy Ortiz.

FDCP President JC Buendia.

Crowd control.

SOFA's Amina Aranaz Alunan gives a short talk.

The twenty finalists in both RTW and Accessories categories with FDCP President JC Buendia and Amina Aranaz Alunan.

The Fashion Design Council of the Philippines(from left) Randy Oritz, Joey Escober, Gerry Katigbak, Tippie Ocampo, Amina Aranaz Alunan, JC Beundia, Tonichi Nocom, Dong Omaga Diaz, Vic Barba, Gerry Sunga, Avel Bacudio and Ramon Esteban.

Picture Play with designer Ivar Aseron, Look magazine's Mel Cuevas, designer Tonich Nocom, the author and  Style Weekend's Liza Ilarde Cuenca.

The author in a printed blazer by Joey Samson, v-neck top by Uniqlo, pants
 by Zara, glasses by Firma, shoes by Margiela and convertible tote by Celine.

Fashion Watch: JC Buendia

Clean lines and impeccable tailoring ruled the Makati Shangri-la lobby lounge as the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines(FDCP) president JC Buendia presented his Fashion Watch Summer 2012 collection.  Inspired from the first ladies such as Jackie O, the alluring display of all that is ladylike style channeled utmost simplicity in elegance.  The mode of casual chic in sophistication was observed and captivated the audience in the most delightful feminine affair. Perfectly well made day to night pieces in outstanding construction evoke the chicness of both style and comfort.  Void of all the shiny, shimmering and blinding embellishments, the designer's noteworthy pieces is a tribute to the classics. The new master of simplicity ingeniously incorporated indigenous fabrication such as Silk Abaca(a material similar to Pina which can be found in the province of Catanduanes) and using Aranaz bags as accents created a contemporary  look that seemingly gave a hint of fashion forward Filipiniana. Seamless and impeccable style marks a high note with no fuss, frills and all the complications.  JC's  new stylish alternative for event dressing offers a chic perspective of what fashion in the now.

Completing this season’s Fashion Watch are Francis Libiran and Dennis Lustico (September 29), OJ Hofer and Jerome Lorico (October 6), Joey Samson and Len Nepomuceno (October 13), Ferdi Abuel and Norman Noriega (October 20), Lulu Tan-Gan and Ito Curata (October 24) and Ivar Aseron and Philip Rodriguez (October 27).
Media partners The Philippine Star, Preview, Style Bible, and Star World, together with distinguished designers, and models, along with Patrick Rosas and team as the force behind hair and makeup, Grace Molina as Project Coordinator and Director and Manila’s Prince of Fashion himself, Inno Sotto as Creative Director, make up the famed Fashion Watch as it shows off the industry’s homegrown talents.
As Fashion Watch Quartet makes its comeback, it continues to raise the bar for how today’s fashion show series should be. Fashion Watch 2011 is at the Lobby Lounge of Makati Shangri-La from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Fashion Watch 2011 is presented by Olay, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Philippine Star, Preview Magazine, Starworld and Stylebible.ph in cooperation with major sponsors BMW and Metro Pacific Investments.

Fashion Relevance

The Philippines is a vast landscape of creativity.  The richness of our arts and culture is a testament of outstanding and remarkable talent in the country.  The local fashion industry is one facet that has triumphed international competitions and have brought accolades to this growing nation. Leading and honing young design talents to a promising future is the highly reputable Fashion Design Council of the Philippines(FDCP). Since 1998, the FDCP has produced the Philippine Fashion Design Competition (PFDC) aimed at mentoring potential talents in preparation for various design competitions all over the world. 


This year, with the leadership of their current president designer JC Buendia, the FDCP unfolded the latest edition of the PFDC entitled “Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition” last June 29 at the Mandarin Hotel, Manila.  Through this competition, the council encourages fashion with a purpose-- discovering new talent to create design with social relevance.  With that in mind, this initiative aims to provide sustainable livelihood for regional communities through design.  Furthermore, this creates awareness and promotion for the development of products made from indigenous weaves, materials and crafts. 


The FDCP is composed of the country's unwavering brilliant designers namely Edwin Ao, Ivarluski Aseron, PJ Aranador, Avel Bacudio, Vittorio Barba, JC Buendia, Joey Enriquez, Ramon Esteban, Arcy Gayatin, Len Nepomuceno-Guiao, Oj Hofer, Gerry Katigbak, Rajo Laurel, Jojie Lloren, Anthony Nocom, Tippi Ocampo, Dong Omaga-Diaz, Randy Ortiz, Frederick Peralta, Joey Samson, Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Jerome Ang, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Joel Escober, Gerry Sunga , Cary Santiago and as well as their Advisory Board Members: Lulu Tan Gan, Josie Natori and Cesar Gaupo.

Designer Rajo Laurel with model donning his Pintados inspired gown made
from hand-painted tattoo techniques with wood and shell beads. PINOY CHIC!

Designer Gerry Katigbak with model donning his Pina fiber creation inspired
by the Barong Tagalog.

Designer Jerome Salaya-Ang with model donning his electric pleated creation
in dyed Pina fiber.

Designer Tippi Ocampo with model donning her Jusi mini tuxedo dress with
bell sleeves accented with mother of pearl discs & paillettes.

Designer Joel Escober with model donning his Jute fabric creation with
distressed details on the neckline.

Celebrity Ambassadors Uber model Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, bag designer
Amina Aranaz Alunan and Phil Star columnist Mons Romulo.

Designer Frederick Peralta with model donning his illustrado inspired
ensemble of Pina trapeze top with ruffled bell sleeves over mikado silk
palazzo pantsuit.

 Lulu Tan-Gan's creation is a 30's inspired handcrafted "Pina & Knitwear" 

for the jet set.

Hindy Weber-Tantoco's pina masterpiece creation reflects architectural
femininity with old-world romance.

For those aspiring a career in design and who want to partake in this endeavor, the mechanics for the competition are as follows:

1)  The Philippine Fashion Design Council has two divisions: Apparel and Accessories (fashion and home décor). For Apparel, applicants must submit three (3) design entries each consisting of a 3-5 pieces collection for the modern day man or woman while Accessories Division applicants must submit three (3) one-piece design entries for home or fashion all true to the theme “Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition” 

2)  A Developmental Business Plan must be submitted along with the design entries for the judges to gauge the social impact of the applicant’s entry. The plan consists of the following: PEOPLE: Who and how many will benefit?  PLANET: What are the organic materials? PROFIT: How much profit can be expected? POSITIVE INFLUENCE: What is the overall impact you hope to achieve with your plan?

3)   Applications will be screened according to the following criteria: Originality and excellence in interpreting the theme “Weaving the Future” (35%); Marketability (20%); Execution and workmanship (20%) and Social Impact (25%)

 Finally, entries will be trimmed down to the top 20 finalists, hailing 10 best entries for each division.  Each finalist will then be paired with a Social Entrepreneur, a Livelihood Officer and Community Representative that will ensure that the Business Development plan can be executed. Finalists will be enrolled in an extensive mentoring program headed by FDCP’s own Dong Omaga-Diaz and Jojie Lloren. The School of Fashion and the Arts will also facilitate a customized training module for all finalists during the Mentoring Phase of the competition. Winners will be announced during the Finals Night, to be held at PAGCOR Grand Theater in November 22, 2011. 

FDCP Members Rajo Laurel, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Randy Ortiz, Tippi Ocampo, JC Buendia, Gerry Katigbak, Vic Barba, Tonichi Nocom, Frederick Peralta and Jerome Salaya-Ang.

Interested applicants may send their complete and filled-out PFDC Application Form with a scanned copy of all required materials to weavingthefuture@gmail.com on or before August 1, 2011. Application Forms and Guidelines are available at www.pldtwatchpad.com and may be requested through mobile number +63949-688-5230.Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition is presented by FDCP together with PAGCOR, in cooperation with benchPINOYlab, with SM and The School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) and powered by PLDTmyDSL & SMART.