Friday, April 04, 2008 The tinkers By Clint Holton P. Potestas
THERE are people born to tinker. Out from a pool of various design ingénue, they’ve found a common ground on an old street.
Cebu Fashion Accessory Designers Guild (CFADG) members strolled down Colon St. to relive a daily route.
“Colon is like designing. It follows a process. Everything’s here,” says Mark Anton Masa, one of the pioneering affiliates.
“And Colon has always been a representation of Cebu. Like Colon, we’d want to have a Cebuano trademark on our designs,” Masa adds. This century-old street, being the heart of city, is always prepared for any mode of rarity.”
The CFADG movers are five professional accessory designers, each establishing each his own pillar in the industry. Four have topped the Philippine Fashion Design Competition-Accessory Division (PFDC-AD). And their lone female member continues to décor the local constellation.
Meet the miracle workers who can turn pieces from scrap to glam.
The discoverer: Mark Anton S. Masa
The sense: “I love to explore and experiment. I like to challenge my intellect and artistic sensibilities.”
The patent: Hardware with crystals.
The piece: An accessory completes the entire look, enhances the clothes, and creates a focal point. But at times, it could make or break one’s style sensibility if it is not properly executed.
The icon: Celine Lopez.
The access: HUMN BEHAVYR at Younique You, Banilad Town Center; antonmark.multiply.com
The initiator: Jamie S. Zanoria
The sense: “I always believe that, as an accessory designer, I should always strive to create something new and worth appreciating; to create something that is beautiful.” Zanoria was a finalist in the 2006 PFDC-AD.
The patent: “Others say I am classic; others say I am ethnic.”
The piece: Even if you wear simple clothes, you can make yourself a head turner when you style your togs with a beautiful piece of accessory.
The icon: “No one in particular: from the popular to the anonymous. So long as they can pull it off, and give justice to the creation.”
The access: cfadg.multiply.com.
The opulent: Mark Anthony V. Tenchavez
The sense: “I am a classic designer. I represented the country in Paris in 2006.” Tenchavez garnered one of four awards in 2006 PFDC-AD.
The patent: Elegantly classic accessory piece.
The piece: Accessories complete the total outfit without overpowering the clothes and the wearer—just complement them.
The icon: Nicole Kidman.
The access: Shandar, Archbishop Reyes Ave.
The eclectic: Maria Josefa Dianne U. Espera
The sense: “I am very eclectic and very experimental.” Espera continues to design for celebrities, like Toni Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, Nikki Gil, and Angel Locsin.
The patent: Strong attention to details and a harmony of colors.
The piece: It can either make or break the look.
The icon: “I don’t have anyone in particular, but I admire the works of Avatar’s Butch Carunggay.
The access: Sepa, 25 Visitacion Street, Osmeña Blvd.
The bold: Ciege Cagalawan
The sense: “I am bold and crazy but fabulous.” Cagalawan shares the top spot with Mark Masa in the 2007 PFDC-AD.
The patent: It’s eclectic, and it demands attention.
The piece: Accessories can add pizzazz to rather dull outfits. But you have to choose wisely.
The icon: Gabrielle Chanel. “She carried her piled-up costume fine and costume jewelry very, very well.”
The access: Prodigal Absolution at Inhouse Design Store, Canduman, Mandaue; www.ciegecagalawan.com.
The team work
Cebu Fashion Accessory Designers Guild (CFADG): This new assembly of professional accessory designers supports young, promising artists who desire to flourish in the industry.
“We foresee ourselves supporting and promoting Cebuano talents,” says member Mark Anton Masa.
“The members of CFADG aim to further uplift, encourage, inspire young designers.” CFADG also welcomes new members who are willing to share the vision.
First on the list is the upcoming Cebu Fashion Accessory Design Competition on May 3 at the Theatro Casino, Waterfront Hotel, Lahug. It is open to both amateur and professional designers.
Coinciding the contest is the official launching of the group, featuring a sparkling Swarovski fashion show.
The proceeds will be donated to the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
