Project runway RP finalist, beauty queens to mentor aspirants in Stylissimo Sessions 2011

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebuana models-turned-beauty queens, along with local industry insiders, will impart tricks of the trade in another edition of “Stylissimo Sessions,” a summer workshop on Fashion Modeling, Pageant Mentoring, Basic Fashion Design and Styling.

Both natural stunners, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 Top Model winner Sharon Angel and recently-crowned Reyna ng Aliwan 2011 Rogelie Catacutan were clueless aspirants themselves before nailing the needed skills and eventually bagging prestigious titles when they represented Cebu in national beauty tilts. Now, the tables are turned as the two members of AD Models Agency go from eager students to capable mentors — by helping those who wish to follow in their footsteps acquire the necessary arsenal to be an effective model and beauty pageant stand-out.

Stylissimo Sessions, a brainchild of Stylefirm Fashion and Lifestyle and AD Models Agency (which boast a fierce line-up of title-holders including Ford Supermodel of the World-Philippines 2000 Verns Buckley, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009 Jam Libatog, Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2009 Kirstie Babor, Miss Cebu 2009 Kris Janson, Miss Cebu 2008 Sian Maynard and Miss Cebu 2007 Loise Tan, runway/print/commercial model Joe Vince Cañizares, among others), has become a summer and semestral break tradition for Dexter Alazas and his colleagues.

Aside from the basics, they will also teach print ad posing/projection, commercial ads modeling and personality development in a three-days-per-week course that will run for four weeks or for the entire month of May.

In an exciting sneak peek of the glamorous yet harsh world of professional modeling, participants get to go behind-the-scenes of local fashion galas, meet the crème de la crème of Cebu’s pool of maquillage artists, and pose for top photographer Joseph Ong. They will also have the chance to visit designer shops, join mall tours, and do radio and TV guestings.

For those who are just as interested in fashion, but tremble at the thought of being thrown center stage or in front of a camera, they can take Stylissimo Sessions Designing and Styling short courses taught by established Cebuano designers. Students will be introduced to cutters and sewers to broaden their knowledge in pattern-making and meet fabric suppliers that provide the best quality.

At the end of the course, they will get a one week apprenticeship with local designers, who will in turn help them create a three-piece collection to be showcased during the culmination ceremonies on June at Banilad Town Center.

Workshop mentors also include Zee fashion editor Oj Hofer, Project Runway Philippines finalist Philipp Tampus, fashion and lifestyle photographer Joseph Ong, make-up artist Jessie Glova, beauty queen maker Dexter Alazas, Toast Master speaker Margie Visitacion and fashion scribe Clint Holton Potestas.

Sessions start on May 1 at the 2nd level of Banilad Town Center, at a fee of P10, 000. Modeling sessions are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays while design sessions are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sessions will be held in venues at the Banilad Town Center from 2pm-6pm.

For more information on the workshop, you can reach StyleFirm at 5836105 or 09215836105. You may also visit their office at #7 Villalon Drive East Capitol Site, Cebu City, or you can email to [email protected]. Get updates online and check them out on Facebook/Stylissimo Sessions. (FREEMAN)