THE region's longest-running fashion design competition celebrated Mindanaoan artistry and set the runway ablaze at its new home in SM Lanang Premier on August 21.
Now on its 11th year, Moda Mindanao was back with a new format and perspective but retained the same global aspiration that it had in the previous years. Redefined as a "Young Fashion Designers Competition," it showcased contemporary Mindanaoan fashion and paved the way for young and most promising local designers to be recognized in the national and global fashion scene.
Ten local designers aged 18 to 35 showcased their creations in a runway show, vying for pret-a-porter and evening wear for women categories. The finalists highlighted fabrics, patterns, and materials that reflect the unique Mindanaoan heritage with a fashion-forward sensibility. Cash prizes worth P20,000 for evening gown and P15,000 for pret-a-porter and other special prizes await the winning designers.
Moda Mindanao Season 11 also featured young international accessories designer Ken Samudio, the first Filipino designer selected by Vogue Italia as one of its talents for accessories in 2014 and who was also featured on its 50th Anniversary issue. His works have been featured in editorials of many notable fashion publications. Samudio is currently rocking the world of women's fashion accessories. Unlucky for me, I don't own any of his creations.
Judges include Ken Samudio, L'Officiel Manila Managing Editor Nana Caragay, Project Runway Philippines Season 4 first runner-up Jared Servano, designer Bobby Castillo of Chardin, restaurateur Rosanna Dizon-Loseo and rising fashion stylist Sean Go.
Behind this year's Moda Mindanao is a working team of emerging millennial designers: Jun Artajo, Wilson Niñofranco Limon, and Frances Marie Tendencia as creative directors and Grand Ravacio as fashion director.
The highly anticipated runway event is co-presented by Inquirer Lifestyle 2BU (To Be You), and M Magazine (official media partners), Air Asia (official airline partner), Park Inn by Radisson Davao, L'Oréal Paris, L'Oréal Professionnel, Salon de Rose, and 8telcom.
"Moda Mindanao" featured the designs of 10 pre-selected local designers (finalists), Aloha Lelani Begin (Agusandel Norte), Alexis Nickole Rule (Davao City), Jay-R Gamboa Flores (Sultan Kudarat), Jonas Andrew Amora (Davao City), Aries Buenvenida (Davao City), Arwin Mark Meriales (Davao Occidental), Mimi Tandingan (Davao City), Bianca Sabellano (Davao City), Kian Plaza Deocariza (Davao City), and Neil Patrick Jimlani (Davao City).
Jay-R Gamboa Flores was the runaway winner; he wowed the judges and took the top prize for pret-a-porter and evening gown categories.
He was a crowd favorite, I should say, judging from the massive applause from the audience. While many designers created eye-catching garments, Jay-R did the best job of displaying the ability to interpret the Mindanao culture and colors.
I have my utmost respect to all the finalists, all the collections transmit their individual inspirations and thoroughly integrated it into every detail of their creations. These Mindanao fashion designers gave a truly impeccable work for both fit and construction.
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