IN 2013 renegade fashion designer Avel Bacudio was awarded “Asia’s Most Influential Designer” at the Mercedes-Benz Stylo Asia Fashion Week, a showcase at Malaysia Fashion Week (MFW) held in Kuala Lumpur. The next year, luxewear
expert Albert Andrada was adjudged “Asia’s Most Connected Designer.”
Filipino designers have been participating in this Asia and Oceania fashion spectacle but the Philippines hasn’t figured in the winner’s rostrum since 2014. Former Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines President Dong Omaga-Diaz, the head and mentor of every contingent to MFW, wants to remedy this drought.
“For this year, I want a representation of the whole Philippines that’s why I decided to open participation for designers not only from Manila but all parts of the archipelago. There are so many designers from the regions who are just waiting for their one big chance to show their fashion statements on a legitimate venue,” Omaga-Diaz said.
The annual event is a collaborative effort between Stylo International and luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz. Stylo is a concept by Malaysian PR practitioner Dato’ Nancy Yeoh as president and CEO, with legendary designer Prof. Dato’ Jimmy Choo as mentor/adviser.
More than 100 fashion and accessories designers from 16 Asian countries and Australia will present their collections from November 19 to November 25 at the Publika Gallery Mall.
“I chose this particular group of Filipino designers, in consultation with Timothy Chen of Asia Fashion Inc., the trade platform of MFW, not only because of their design skills but also because of their attitudes and levels of professionalism.The Mercedes-Benz Asia Stylo Fashion Week is not only a venue to do fashion shows but also to do business,” the Paris-trained Omaga-Diaz said.
Here are the Philippine representatives and their design perspectives:
- ADANTE LEYESA, Batangas City. “Nostalgia” Sweet rain in June White blooms of the coffee trees Fireflies in the night My encounter with fairies My muse. All vivid recalls of my childhood memory…back home
- DODJIE BATU, Davao City. I accept the challenge of menswear. There are only a few designers who do menswear, that’s why I am filling this void. It’s more challenging because there is a very thin line of it to be over-designed. I think more men prefer comfort and exquisite fitting more than a new silhouette. So, I only tweak a little just to make a difference but don’t go overboard. I’m also introducing a new Philippine weave made of yarn and raffia.
- JET SALCEDO, Iloilo City. My collection is named “We Men,” glamorized androgynous streetwear in glittery silver and matte black using elegant stretch, sequined mesh and silver mesh.
- JOR-EL ESPINA, Iloilo City. “Fixation” is a collection that marries the soft, feminine, romantic flow of the piña fiber to the stiff, masculine, harsh, brute appeal of leather. It is a paradox of sorts. A marriage of yin and yang. Infatuation and obsession—a fixation on fashion.
- LEN NEPOMUCENO-MORTEL, Bangkok, Thailand. My inspiration for this collection flutters on the pedagogy of diversity, a mixture of cosmopolitan living and streetwear. Fabrics are easy, jerseys with fishnet, mostly loose trousers, layering and draping in some, structured and clean in others. Colors are black and white, the very essence of stylish elegance, with snakeskin details.
- RANDOLPH PETALCORIN, Butuan City. The intricate and colorful weaving patterns of the ethnic people of Mindanao is where my collection starts. Beadwork is quite heavy in some numbers but in neutral shades. Embroidery is quite prominent in some details. The materials used are crepe,linen, neoprene, lace and chiffon. The whole collection is definitely about dressing a Mindanaoan lass glamorously.