Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Foto fashion fibers By Jojie Alcantara Witerary
IN HIS young age, fashion designer Garimon Roferos became Davao's pride as much as the nation's when he won as finalist to the Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode, an international competition for young fashion designers, in Paris, France in December 2004 at the Carousel du Louvre, the central venue for the French ready-to-wear shows.
Awards were presented by fashion designer Pierre Cardin for the year's theme, Ecology and Environment.
Garimon's winning piece was a dress made of hand woven dried hyacinth stalks. He creates other ingenious pieces made of local fabrics woven from pineapple, coconut and banana fibers, with shoes and accessories made from braided water lilies.
Just a flashback. Roferos came back to Davao after a decade of work in the Middle East, and gained notice among the judges when his entry won in the Urog Etnika Avante Garde Design Competition during the Kadayawan 2002.
It was a hand painted print of tattoos on a fabric skirt. In the same year, he became a finalist in the International Young Fashion Designer Competition in Manila.
In 2003, he created national interest as one of the finalists in the prestigious Timeless Terno of 21 Competition, by presenting an unconventional terno of mixed ancient Mindanao tribal patterns and materials, 21st century icons and patent leather.
One of his popular clients is the lovely actress and performer, Chin Chin Guttierez.
In 2005, he participated in Epson=Photo, a fashion and trade exhibit event by Epson held at SM City Davao, which showcased his outstanding collections, using the images of featured award-winning Davao-based photographer Rhonson Ng.
In 2006, Roferos was presented the "Pasidungog Kadayawan Award for 2006," making him the 4th recipient from among Mindanao artists.
To celebrate his 20 years of haute couture career, Roferos again collaborated with Rhonson Ng in a fashion and photo exhibit held at Rhonson Ng Photography Studio in Matina Town Square.
The fashion shoot took place in interesting parts of Davao: in High Ponds Resort, Island Buenavista, in a dilapidated Coca Cola Panel found along the highway, and in a quarry and shooting range by the diversion road.
Models were Alex, Guada, Riza, Luanne and Joan of Metropolitan Models and Events.
Guest photographers with exhibit photos were Bong Aportadera, Doc Leo Amaro, Kat Mercado and yours truly.
Major Sponsors are Coca-Cola, Philips, 88.3 Energy FM, Maria's Vine Craft, Island Buenavista, High Ponds, Royal Princess Lovely Sangkula Duterte, Barangay Captain Juanito Apale Jr., and others.
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