Top fashion expert arrives in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - One of the world’s most influential fashion gurus, Marie Claire creative director and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 yesterday.

Garcia is in the country for JAG Origins, a fashion and design advocacy program developed by the top denim brand to nurture, promote and inspire Filipino design students and budding fashion entrepreneurs.

Happening for the first time at the Philippine Fashion Week today at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, JAG Origins is a creative platform that will spread art, design and creative thinking among young Filipino students nationwide.

“I am happy to be here, and I can’t wait to meet my fans,” Garcia said upon her arrival.

Envisioned to become an annual event, JAG Origins this year brings the celebrated judge of the long-running and award-winning reality show Project Runway to interact with the audience by answering their questions in a forum-type discussion that will focus on global style, design and fashion trends worldwide.

Garcia is a 20-year veteran of the fashion industry who has worked with the world’s most seminal photographers, models and designers.

She is considered a global fashion icon with a strong online presence that reaches millions of supporters on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr.

During the forum, three Filipino designers – Jerome Salaya Ang, Normal Noriega and Jeffrey Rogador –will present a special collection that highlights each of the designer’s distinct artistry.

The forum will culminate in the JAG Holiday 2013 fashion presentation, featuring models wearing the JAG ankle cut jeans collection for women and JAG stretch denim collection for men.