Philippine Fashion Week

Philippine fashion designers are one of the most talented and creative artists in the world. If they are only given the chance to work and be recognized in the fashion capitals of the world like New York or Paris and even Tokyo, they could easily give their European, American and Japanese counterparts a very stiff competition.

It was good news to the Philippine fashion industry when the Philippine Fashion Week was formally launched as a bi-annual event in 2007. Close to a hundred designers participate to showcase their collection for seven days. This event raised the bar of the fashion industry in the country and placed the "rag trade" as one of the major businesses that can help boost the local economy. Since The Philippine Fashion Week was organized, I noticed that a few more fashion events and fashion shows are presented in Manila at least two or three times a year and I think that it is a good thing. These shows usually attract local buyers, Southeast Asian buyers and a few Western clients. It helps local designers get recognition and work. In the end it is a win-win situation for the country's economy.

I was in Manila to watch the last fashion week October 2009. I should say that it was good and the clothes are really wearable and beautiful, though sometimes I see some designs that are a bit unwearble according to my taste. Each designer have their own pallete. A little bit different from designers in Europe and the US where sometimes most designers seem to agree on a certain silhouette or color that will dictate a particular season.

The Philippine fashion industry has a long way to go but I believe that it is going to the right direction. I do hope to see more international recognition of this event and a brisk business for the designers and their market in years to come.

Photo Credit: Filipino designer Puey Quinones Collection Spring/Summer 2010
Photographer: Xernan Orticio
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxernan/