Manila Fashion Festival revolutionizes stage for Filipino designers this March

MANILA, Philippines – In the hands of an excellent production team, Manila Fashion Festival will again make huge strides in the fashion industry. The sartorial affair takes place once more on March 19 to 22 at the Green Sun Hotel's The Eye.

In the bi-annual Manila Fashion Festival, Filipino designers get to showcase their talents in the season’s latest trends. Unlike other fashion shows, designers are given the opportunity to dictate every artistic aspect with complete creative control over their own show.

With the first ever Manila Fashion Festival being held on November of last year, the event transformed the traditional runway show with the goal to bridge the gap between local designers and consumers.

Manila Fashion Festival owes its success to Art Personas, the talent and management company that directs the event. Since 2013, Art Personas has been simplifying complicated processes such as event and talent management and video production to create better possibilities for their clients in the fashion and arts industry. A one-stop production shop, Art Personas offers a wide array of services in that field, connecting artists and customers with talents.

With their direction, Art Personas spearheads a fashion-forward event that takes its talents out of the box and refines their potential to produce world-class productions.

A breeding ground for incredible, young and fresh talents, Art Personas etches the names of relatively new but gifted individuals onto the history books of the industry.

Growing his reputation, designer Banggo Niu, who recently put up his own studio, joins the roster of impressive upcoming and established names. Alongside him are Preview’s Emerging Fashion Talents Esme Palaganas, Bea Samson and Tony Evan, all looking to paint the fashion scene with the canvas Manila Fashion Festival allows them.

Designer BANGGO NIU with his “JE VEUX TE VOIR" - A collection that is bold, quirky and playful. It was inspired by upbeat music and prints. Polka dots and stripes give Je Veux Te Voir a modern, yet classic motif. The pieces reinvent timeless silhouettes with intriguing textures, prints and treatments. Banggo Niu brings an intense, fresh look to the runway. 

Designer ESME PALAGANAS with her "“A LETTER TO JANE" - A collection that amplifies romanticism and rebellion inspired by the gripping literary works of Jane Austen. A touch of regency and the Belle Époque era dramatically transition the pieces from black to white. It is dark and heavy, yet highly passionate.
Esme Palaganas brings an entrancingly soulful tone to the runway. 

Seasoned but homegrown designers like Jerome Salaya Ang, Mark Tamayo, Happy Andrada and Rhett Eala join in for the first time and offer their personal flair in something audiences have never seen them do.

Designer JEROME SALAYA-ANG with his “FINDING ABSOLEM” - A collection that is about believing six impossible things before breakfast. Finding Absolem was inspired by the maze of life. Pieces redefine an individual through this captivating palette that highlights a person’s uniqueness and beauty. Jerome Salaya-Ang brings a sense of reformation to the runway. 

Designer HAPPY ANDRADA with her  “NINUNO” - A collection that reinvents nationalism.It was inspired by our rich Philippine heritage. Tribalism fused with contemporary cuts, textures and treatments. The convectional fabrics transform as they take on refreshing new forms. These are riveting pieces that tell a story. Happy Andrada brings a renewed appreciation to the runway. 

Designer RHETT EALA with his “POST-PUNK POET” - A collection immersed in culture. It was inspired by the music of Jay Z and Lauryn Hill, the cultural styling featured in Osaka and London, as well as the essence of the tribes of punks and Mongols. It is a fusion of ethnic, athletic and imperial sporty shapes, hand embroidered details paired with metallic embellishments and high tech fabrics merged with colors ranging from chartreuse to black. Rhett Eala brings an artistic and animated experience to the runway. 

Here’s the schedule of the show:

March 19 - Jerome Salaya-Ang, Happy Andrada, YAY, John Herrera, Jot Losa, Renan Pacson
March 20 - Anthony Ramirez, Charina Sarte, Chris Diaz, Veejay Floresca, Odelon Simpao, Michael Leyva
March 21 - Rhett Eala, Cheetah Rivera, ARIN, Pablo Cabahug, Mark Bumgarner
March 22 (Afternoon show) - Banggo Niu, Esme Palaganas, Tony Evan, Bea Samson
March 22 (Evening show) - Mark Tamayo, Sassa Jimenez, Ziggy Savella, Vania Romoff, Jaz Cerezo