A BOLD initiative that aims to further the local fashion scene has landed in Davao: Fashion Weekend Davao, organized by the Philippine Women’s College of Davao and the newly created Davao Fashion Design Council (DFDC) in partnership with Abreeza Mall.
Envisioned to be Davao and Mindanao’s premier annual fashion event and lifestyle platform and the core event of the first-ever local celebration of Design Week Philippines, Fashion Weekend Davao consisted of a series of runway shows held from March 18 to 19 at Abreeza Mall.
On March 18, the first of the runway series, Luxe Retail, showcased on-trend ensembles and active lifestyle looks from the latest collections of Abreeza Mall premier brands such as Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Esprit, Flossy, Fox, GAP, Giordano, GRIND, Guess, Mags, Mango, Mango Man, Marks & Spencer, Nautica, Original Penguin, Petrol, Promod, R.O.X., and SOUL.
Following Luxe Retail, the New Generation show proved the unique vision and immense talent of Davao’s rising designers; namely, Andi Amora, Jun Artajo, Edzel Balofinos, Aries Buenvenida, Lala Chua, Ronnia de Leon, Joey Hambala, Jozel Ignes, Neil Jimlani, Kenny Ladaga, Samantha Liao, Wilson Limon, Ronnie Nacua, Nikole Rule, Bianca Sabellano, Jerson Tandingan, Frances Tendencia, and Mandy Velasco.
Meanwhile, the New Establishment fashion show paraded pieces by the DFDC, which counts among its members established names in the city’s fashion design scene: Egay Ayag, Aztec Barba, Dodjie Batu, Edgar Buyan, Emi Englis, Bamba Limon, Windell Mira, and Benjie Panizales.
On March 19, it was the turn of promising fashion students to impress the audience through Generation Next, the PWC Fashion Design graduation show.
The show debuted designs by the program’s graduating class, undergraduates, and faculty members. Achievement awards were also presented to the outstanding students in the graduating class.
Fashion Weekend Davao was graced by renowned fashion designer Albert Andrada, Mega Magazine’s Suki Salvador, Preview Magazine’s Loris Peña, Stylebible.ph’s Zoe Laurente, Pilipinas Men’s Fashion Week’s Nico Agustin, and Style & Design Academy Manila’s Cathy Binag, who judged the works of the graduating PWC fashion students along with DFDC president Aztec Barba. Besides attending the shows, the special guests were also on hand to critique the students’ works and offer helpful tips in a special forum held at the Seda Abreeza Hotel.
Also part of the first-ever local observance of Design Week Philippines were vignette exhibitions on display from March 16 to 20 in various locations around Abreeza Mall.
The Ground Floor Supermarket Hallway was turned into a gallery of works by award-winning Davaoeño designers, the Second Floor Hallway near Wrangler was home to a display of local textiles, the Second Floor Hallway near Bambu housed an exhibit of works inspired by Mindanao folklore, and the Ground Floor Fashion Hallway presented upcycled garments and accessories and also hosted a series of talks on cultural visual identifiers and Mindanao themes in design. (PR)
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