“GRAND ALLURE” showcases 15 collections of elegant evening wear on May 30 at 6 pm in Hall 3 of the SMX Convention Center.

THE annual spectacle of sublime fashion and Philippine Fashion Week, certainly the country’s longest-running fashion event, once more brings the spotlight on the artistry and talent of local designers beginning today, May 26, until June 3, now in its new and bigger home, the SMX Convention Center and the SM Mall of Asia. v Now into its 11th year, Philippine Fashion Week opens amid challenges to its status as the fashion event of the year, what with upstart Metrowear and the resurrected Fashion Watch mounting shows that boast of not only similar big-ticket designers, but also with more frequency. Maybe—or maybe not—this explains why, according to the gossip going around the fashionable pockets of Mega Manila, Philippine Fashion Week will soon unfold not only once but twice annually on the runways around these parts.

Still, despite the current challenges faced by Philippine Fashion Week, arguably no other fashion enterprise can boast of having successfully accomplished the launch of 520 designer-collection shows and 110 fashion-label-collection shows. Last season alone, 1,738 creations were presented, providing a venue like no other for highlighting the Filipino designer’s ingenuity, both new and established.

Armed with an unquestionable belief that the Filipino’s talents and skills are on a par with the world’s best, Runway Productions’ dynamic executive producers/directors Audie and Joey Espino continue to fulfill their commitment of giving the nation’s designers a huge canvass for expressing their creativity and providing a venue for their artistry to be recognized worldwide.

“Our country’s biggest resource are the Filipino people, and Philippine Fashion Week is our way of saying, ‘Look, there is so much to be proud of,’” says Joey Espino. He continues to be encouraged, especially after coming across an AC Nielsen report that over 60 percent of Filipino consumers now prefer local clothing brands over more established imported labels. “I would like to think that in its 10 years, Philippine Fashion Week had a hand in this major shift. Now looking forward, I am glad that Philippine Fashion Week is going in the right direction of helping Filipino designers and our fashion industry to go global,” Espino finishes off.

This year, the definitive national fashion event gathers the creativity of 120 designers from Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon partnering with global companies who will showcase their latest products, trends and technology through nine evenings of fashion revelry.

Philippine Fashion Week’s opening ceremonies will be held today, May 26, at 6 pm in Hall 3 of the SMX Convention Center.

Designs in luxury dressing will be featured on May 27 at 6 pm in Hall 3 by “Luxe Wear” designers Aldrich Aparicio, Arnold Galang, Chris Diaz, Dimple Lim, Jay Sustiguer, John Paras, Melvin Lachica, Mich Dulce, Mitzi Quilendrino-Bustos, Pencil Diestra, Reian Mata, Renee Salud, Rolando Lirio and Shanon Pamaong.  Raoul Ramirez will have his 30-piece “Premier Collection A” solo show on Street Wear at 7:30 pm in Function Room 3, followed by the “New Generation Collection” of young and first-time designers Alodia Cecilia, Anna Leah Salvador, Ciege Cagalawan, Dax Bayani, Gerswin Qua, Gionna Cabrera, Gretchen Pichay, Lizanne Cua, Marc Rancy, Nikki Sonico, Patrick Galang and Prisara Morales at 8:30 pm back in Hall 3. 

The third day, May 28, at 6 pm in Hall 3, offers “Luxe Wear B” designs for after-six attire by Angelo Estera, Brian Leyva, Delby Bragais, Dodjie Batu, Eric de los Santos, Gener Gozum, June Pugat, Kat Sy, Michelle Lim, Philip Torres, Popo Go, Ren Manabat, Richard Papa and Susie Bonaobra. The 10-piece “Premier Collection B” from designers Jeffrey Rogador, Manelle Chamian, Odelon Simpao and Twinkle Ferraren follows at 7:30 pm in Function Room 3. The “Design Fusion” collection by Benjie Panizales, Butz Fuentes, Catherine Cavilte, Czarina Villa, Emi-Alexander Englis, Happy Andrada, Jerome Lorico, Nholie Pilapil, Nicky Martinez, Noe Reyes, Nolie Viñeza and Ronan Opiña will be at 8:30 pm in Hall 3. 

The “Visions and Trends” creations of Donn Delantar, Estien Quijano, Jasmine Castelo, John and Paul Herrera, Kenneth Chua, Norman Noriega, Pier Lim, Ralph Ng, Regine Dulay and Roel Rosal will be on Thursday, May 29, at 6 pm in Hall 3, while Jerome Salaya Ang, Julius Tarog and M Barretto present the “Premier Collection C” at 7:30 pm in Function Room 3. The capper for the night is the “Menswear” collection at 8:30 pm in Hall 3 by designers, Anthony Nocom, Bang Pineda, Frederick Policarpio, Jay Masangya, Simon Ariel Vasquez, Yako Reyes, Zxander Tan, Jeffrey Rogador, M Barretto, Odelon Simpao, Ramon Favila, Raoul Ramirez, Gerry Katigbak, Lyle Ibañez and Manelle Chamian. 

The “Grand Allure” collections of Arielle Agasang, Benjie Manuel, Edgar Allan, Edgar San Diego, Edwin Tan, Edwin Uy, Jaki Peñalosa, John Guarnes, Joel Escober, Jonathan Manilag, Jontie Martinez, Judith Pajaro, Oliver Tolentino, Pepsi Herrera and Tina Daniac will be featured on Friday, May 30, at 6 pm in Hall 3, followed by the “Premier Collection D” from Gerry Katigbak, Lyle Ibañez and Ramon Favila at 8:30 pm in Hall 3. 

On Saturday, May 31, at 6 pm in Hall 3, Ronaldo Arnaldo presents his 30-piece “Premier Collection E” solo show. At the SM Mall of Asia, fashion enthusiasts will be treated to the “SM Department Store” retail collection on Sunday, June 1, at 6 pm, while the “Ready-to-Wear” pieces of our local fashion brands from designers Don Protasio, Eddie Castro, Janno Farrales, Jona Ballaran, Marichu Tan, Martin Bautista, Pia Gladys Perey, Protacio Empaces Jr., Ruby Castrodes, Tippi Ocampo and Ziggy Savella hit the ramps on Monday, June 2, at 6 pm. 

The must-see closing ceremonies on June 3 at 6 pm will certainly be a show-stopper that will keep people wondering what else is in store as the dawn of a new decade for Philippine Fashion Week promises to open more vistas of hope and endless possibilities for local designers and Filipino pride and ingenuity. The shows are directed by Raymond Villanueva, Cata Figueroa and Joey and Audie Espino.

Philippine Fashion Week is presented by Runway Productions, CalCarries International Models Philippines, EsAc Sydney-Manila-New York and Mode+L.

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