WHO would ever forget the very famous blue gown of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach?
Some may no longer remember the name of the amazing designer behind it, but one thing is definite, he has earned everybody’s admiration.
Albert Andrada was in Davao last March 19 for the Fashion Forum organized by the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Davao Fashion Design Council (DFDC) and the Abreeza Ayala Mall as part of the Davao Fashion Weekend.
Speaking before Davao’s fabulous and highly-creative current and featured emerging designers at the forum held at Seda Hotel, the brilliant and internationally-acclaimed designer encouraged them by saying, “Listen, young designers, to those who went before you!”
As for the DFDC, headed by its president, Aztec Barba, he told them to “take good care of this new generation and the fashion industry of Davao.”
And to further challenge them to continuously grow in their chosen field, Andrada pointed out that they have “to be a blessing to each other.”
Being his first time to visit the city, the designer of the country’s well-loved beauty queen was all praises to Davao’s warm hospitality and felt like so at home already that he wanted to buy a property and stay.
Meanwhile, Mega Magazine’s Creative Director Suki Salvador reassured the DFDC and the young designers that “The world saw you.”
“With social media buzzing everywhere, you were definitely noticed,” he added.
This was even validated by Preview Magazine’s Loris Peña, Style Bible’s Zoe Laurente, Pilipinas Men’s Fashion Week Nico Kenji Agustin and also by Andrada, who is touted as Asia’s Most Connected Designer.
The forum attended by more than 50 professional and student designers, with Style and Design Academy’s Cathy Binag as moderator, was able to generate valuable insights from the well-respected names in the fashion scene.
Preview Magazine’s Loris Peña shared some tips on how to get featured in magazines, while Style Bible’s Zoe Laurente emphasized on the importance of being consistent and staying true to one’s aesthetics.
Pilipinas Men’s Fashion Week‘s Nico Kenji Agustin, on the other hand, reoriented the designers about the diverse careers in the industry.
They also reminded the younger designers not to rush to fame, but to take the stride conscientiously.
“You will have your time under the sun... it can be now and it can also be tomorrow,” they said.
At the end of the forum, both Salvador and Andrada exclaimed that “for a first time, this event is certainly promising.”
The Fashion Forum was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao.
In the meantime, the panelists and resource persons during the Fashion Forum also served as judges to the creations of the PWC Fashion Graduation Class of 2016, whose pre-judging was done prior to the forum.
(Special thanks to PWC-Fashion Design Program head Emi Alexander Englis and Dexterity photo studio for the snaps used in this article!)
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