SoFa student competes in Triumph finals in Berlin

MANILA, Philippines -  Her name says it all. Pristine de Guzman, national winner for the Triumph Inspiration Award 2011, was a clear winner of the competition held last April 13 at Members Only.

Pristine’s fresh and original take on this year’s theme, “125 Years of Celebrating Women,” was a standout from the lot with a modern three-piece red velvet stunner. Pristine not only envisioned a woman of beauty and power, who is at the center stage as a winner and a leader with this piece, but also made it come to life by emerging in the top spot.

The other finalists were equally strong contenders for the title as well. First runner-up, Stephany Verano, displayed very good craftsmanship and leaned towards a more ethnic appeal with a knitted body suit, that symbolized a woman’s capability to adapt to the changing times, yet never forgetting her true identity.

Niño Angeles, who came in second place, stunned the audience with a sweet avant-garde number. Niño revealed an electrifying but elegant twist to an otherwise classic nude colored bodysuit, which earned him a spot in the finals. 

Crowd favorite, Kirby Cruz, bagged the People’s Choice Award, which was only introduced this year, after garnering over 5,000 votes on the Triumph International Philippines’ Facebook fan page account. The fierceness of the whole piece really set the bar higher for presentation and show effect in the history of this competition.    

Working hand in hand, for the first time, with the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFa), Triumph International Philippines is very pleased with this year’s turnout of participants and execution of the concepts, which proved the immense talent even at the grassroots level. Many were amazed and surprised at the staging of the whole show, including Cesca Litton, who hosted the event, as she did not expect such a big production.

Triumph International Philippines and SoFa thank Creations Salon by top hair and makeup artist Lourd Ramos for lending its creative expertise and working with the designers and models in enhancing each and every peg from the look book.

Present during the event were trade partners and panel of judges composed of fashion and design luminaries that included Rissa Mananquil, Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Dong Umaga-Diaz, joined by 2008 Triumph Inspiration Award National Winner and now fashion designer, Ralph Ng, Triumph International Philippines head of sales and marketing Lorelei de Leon.

It was a well-deserved win for Pristine de Guzman, who will be flying this July to Berlin, Germany where the international finals will be held, during the opening night of the Berlin Fashion Week. Now in its fourth year, the competition coincides with Triumph International’s 25th anniversary, and is at its biggest with 37 participating countries.