Fashion fans and industry insiders alike gathered just before 2019 came to a close to witness one of the country’s biggest fashion events: “StyleFestPH” (www.stylefest.ph).
A project of 0917 Lifestyle, the tech and fashion brand of Globe, and Saga Events, the country’s premier events company, StyleFestPH aims to champion the creativity that lies within Filipino designers, in order to propel the local fashion industry forward. For its second installment, StyleFestPH staged several shows across three days, featuring both veterans and emerging talents in one space.
Kicking things off was a multi-designer show, titled Roots, which was about reimagining
traditional Filipino silhouettes and indigenous fabrics to create culturally rich apparel. The show brought together four designers with the singular theme of celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship unique to the Philippines.
The collections included pieces from Piopio by Paloma Zobel, which boasted jumpsuits, skirts and off-shoulder tops made with traditional fabrics from around the Philippines; Bomberong” jackets in Jor-El Espina’s signature look and take on the traditional barong Tagalog; French Riviera-inspired separates using piña silk and natural fabrics by Chris Nick; and exquisite evening gowns with exaggerated sleeves for the modern day Maria Clara by Mark Bumgarner.
The next day, Boom Sason held a presentation of her latest swimwear collection, celebrating the confidence which lies within every woman. A mix of bikinis and maillots in a variety of prints and colors, each design was cut to flaunt a woman’s best assets and curves.
Bang Pineda capped the three-day style extravaganza with a birthday show featuring a 100-piece collection. With the theme “Ravage, Resurrection and Freedom,” the designer showcased edgy streetwear aesthetic in denim, bright colors and suiting, alongside his tech-infused capsule collection for 0917 Lifestyle. “Liberation is key for the edgy,” the designer says.