Winning streak

The FDCP’s Philippine Fashion Design Competition has always been one of the most awaited competitions of the year. I mean, how could anyone who wades in the knee-deep muck of P-fashion forget the Ignacio Loyola number of years ago?

Samsung and The Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) proudly announces the winners of the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Design Competition 2007 held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Ayala Center, Makati City.

"Fashion as an Expression of Mind & Body" was the theme of the evening. Although most entries were at best esoteric and just mostly strange most of the time, there was no denying the sense of adventure that filled the evening. The grand-prize winners were Pablo Galicia Mendez III (apparel division) and Paul Herrera (accessories division).

Pablo Mendez’s "The Trek Suit" was reminiscent of Ali McGraw does Blade Runner. Hardly a frock to hit the slopes in, I think this design garnered the winning prize for its ingenious use of material, and kudos to the unexpected ensemble. He steered away from the cocktail route and thought of the great Alps. It is described as a vest-type zipped-front bomber jacket layered with a turtleneck sleeved dress in handmade paper made of piña and banana fiber.

Paul Herrera’s "Black Monarch" is a neckpiece made of a fleet of burnt fabric butterflies wired together with guitar string braids. From afar it looks a little wispy, but its true workmanship can be seen up close.

FDCP president Jesus Lloren, PFDC 2007 chairman Dong Omaga Diaz and the other members of the association helped entertain the VIPs and sponsors.

The grand-prize winners received Samsung phones, sewing machines from Brother International Phils. Inc., and an FDCP trophy.

Completing the top 10 finalists in the apparel division were Aztec Z. Barba, Eric de los Santos, Regine Dulay, Jerome Allen Lorico, John Mark Magallanes, Chi-Chie Mendoza-Solomon, Gers Qua, Ziggy Savella and Rafael Viernes.

For the accessories division, the other top-four finalists were Ciege Cagalawan, Mark Anton Masa, Rencie Santos and Roy Sison.

Special awards were given to Rencie Santos (Eye of the Trend award by Ideal Vision), Paul Herrera (Metro’s Choice-accessories division), Gers Qua (Metro’s Choice-apparel division), and Dimple Poly Perez (Bench Choice award).

The distinguished panel of judges included Irene Marcos-Araneta; Lulu Tan Gan, advisory board member and past president of the FDCP; Cesar Gaupo, noted fashion and shoe designer and FDCP advisory board member; Angie Limbaco, corporate marketing head for Samsung Electronics Philippines; Joey Yupangco, noted architect; Gaita Fores, chef and owner of Cibo, Pepato and Café Bola restaurants; Jul B. Dizon, jewelry designer and owner of Jul B. Dizon Jewellery Salon; Melanie Cuevas, editor of Metro magazine; Carla Sibal, editor of Mega magazine; Pauline Suaco Juan, editor of Preview magazine; Joyce Fernandez, editor of I; Apples Aberin-Sadhwani, Inquirer contributing fashion editor; and yours truly, representing Y Style of The Philippine STAR.

Together with Ayala Land Inc., Metro magazine, Bench, Brother International Philippines Corp., Rustan’s Essenses, Saga Events and Fiamma, the Philippine Fashion Design Competition 2007 was under the overall stage management and direction of Robbie Carmona of Saga Events.