THERE is no greater way to kick off the longest Christmas Celebration in Bacolod City but to launch the craftsmanship and highlight the creativity of our local fashion designers in a night that is both fashion forward and "editorial."
The foyer of a local hotel was full house during "The Launch," the initiative of the newly installed officials of the Association of Negros Designers (AND).
AND seeks to organize both "golden" and up and coming artists in the field of fashion designing in Negros. The night was a fitting occasion, literally, to celebrate the names headlining local brands and clothing statements.
One after the other, fashion designers paraded their ingenuity through showcasing two statements outfits that allows us to check their collections. If it was not dubbed as "The Launch," I would come home ranting that I wanted to see more. However, it was only a teaser of what should be expected of AND, the efforts of its members to etch their names in the highly contested wall of fashion and art.
It was an applaudable stance for well reputed and world class designers like Nyca Nava and the bemedalled Tito Tony De Ramos to sit in as AND's in house coaches, who, in the past months, were even hands on in mentoring its members. It only shows that they are opening their circle to a new breed of innovative designers who are equal risk takers and part edgy in either commercial, catalogue or editorial pieces.
This idea paved the way for Adrian Colmenares, John Rondain and Brylie Hiponia, the new names in local fashion to put on a bold take in architectural ensemble.
For the part of Edwin Benitez, he flaunted a number of "bejewelled" pieces. One busy guy, we can usually find his hand painted collections donned in school events and more recently by contestants of Miss and Mister Cultures World.
Tia Lacson sashayed her inner millennial in every inch giving a quick rush to perfection. It takes a whole new level of mentoring to mix these names under one roof, thus, seasoned event's organizer Dwight Morana Jr. taking on the role effectively.
AND officers include Lea Carmela Bantug, president; Edwin Benitez, vice president; Dakila Jes, secretary; Kathryn Gustilo King Li, treasurer; Javon Dawa, internal public relations officer; John Rondain, external public relations officer; Tia Lacson, social media manager; Adrian Colmenares, new media coordinator; and Niyca Nava, mentor.
With AND taking on another spot in the local fashion scene, I can't wait to see more innovations in fashion designing, especially with more and more international brands opening their stores in the metro. But confidently, I know AND will give them a long run for their money.