MANILA, Philippines - From his days growing up in the province without a pair of shoes and landing his first job in Manila mopping the floors of a fast food chain - Avel Bacudio, one of the most famed designers in the country today has found himself journeying through a series of humps and bumps- certainly a difficult path.
Who would have thought that years later he would be an internationally renowned designer bumping shoulders with Jimmy Choo himself? Talk about shoes.
“Ang success ay hindi lang satin yan ah. Galing din yan sa iba – sa tulong ng iba. Lahat tayo alam ang pakiramdam na mangailangan ng tulong at alam ang pakiramdam ng ginhawa pag natulungan.”
Equipped with a handy sketch book and various fabrics as his candles and roses, Avel Bacudio is sharing his love for fashion to Filipinos everywhere.
Avel recently collaborated with Share, a social development platform that uses fashion and lifestyle as means to provide economically-challenged Filipinos a sustainable source of income and livelihood. With his latest collection, Share x Avel, his belief that his passion can be a source of livelihood, not just for himself, but for his countrymen as well is brought forward.
“Alam ko kasi ang pakiramdam na galing sa wala…At kung sa paraan na ito makakapagbigay tayo ng opportunity para magkaroon ng trabaho ang mga nangangailangan- kahit sa pamamaraan ng maliit na negosyo. Go na! Sino bang ayaw na makita lahat ng pamilya na maging masaya?”
Twenty-five percent of what you pay for any item from his capsule collection will go to the Kita Kit Livelihood Program, developed by Share Foundation in partnership with Boardwalk Charity Foundation, Incorporated.
Together with a bag of products that beneficiaries can sell is a 10-month business training program to closely mentor and monitor their progress. It is a commitment to help economically-challenged Filipinos gain capital and confidence, and enhance skills and sensibilities to have a fair shot at business success.
A classic story of struggle to success represents Avel’s passion and vision. His collaboration with Share speaks volumes about his past and the future he wants to create for himself and others. Indeed a designer worth the title of being the most influential.