An ‘explosive’ second quarter for Libiran

MANILA, Philippines - Fashion designer Francis Libiran closes the second quarter of 2014 with a series of local and international victories.

Francis is currently chairman and artistic director of Advocate Fashion, Inc., the company that exclusively carries his fashion brand, among others. He was also recently chosen as one of the newest ambassadors of American skincare line Kiehl’s along with renowned surfer Luke Landrigan, entrepreneur-model Marco Lobregat, blogger-actress Saab Magalona, courtside reporter and radio jock Riki Flores and model-DJ Ornusa Cadness.

Francis is also in Toronto, Canada, participating in the Canada Philippine Fashion Week (CPFW). His solo gala at CPFW, dubbed as Canada Philippine Fashion Ball: A Salute to Francis Libiran, happened over the weekend at the Concert Hall of Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The event aimed to raise funds for the benefit of the KOL Hope Foundation for Children, a Canadian charitable organization founded by Jeff Rustia. KOL Hope Foundation is a first of its kind in North America as it provides support to children born with Trisomy-related disabilities and chromosomal disorders. For his solo gala show, Francis showcased 52 haute couture pieces inspired by art deco designs. Rich in detail, the clothes were intricately embroidered and embellished with fine stones and crystals.

On June 21, Francis celebrates another milestone as he will be the very first Filipino designer to stage a solo wedding show in the annual Weddings At the Peninsula hosted by The Peninsula Manila. Dubbed as Francis Libiran Weddings, the show will be directed by Robby Carmona. Some of the celebs expected to sashay the runway are Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Ariella Arida, Kim Jones, Karylle, Gwendolyn Ruais, Christian Bautista, David Semerad, Michael Seifert, Jan Noval, Hideo Muraoka and Ejay Falcon, among others.

Arsi Baltazar, president and CEO of Advocate Fashion, Inc. and Francis’ business manager, says that there are so many exciting things to look forward to in the coming months, “Francis Libiran is currently gearing up for another international project that will surely make Filipinos proud.”

It should be noted that Francis created the winning gown of 2013 Miss World Megan Young as well as the fabulous gown that gave international fashion icon Tyra Banks the Best Dressed award in New York’s Blossom Ball.  

The Francis Libiran atelier is located at 126 Scout Fernandez in Tomas Morato, Quezon City and at The Peninsula Manila Basement Shopping Arcade. For details, visit www.francislibiran.com.