Bea Valdes spins 'The Burden of Silk'

MANILA, Philippines - Fashion aficionados were abuzz, even broadcasting their enthusiasm on Twitter while still at the launch, as Bea Valdes unveiled “The Burden of Silk,” a very special collection for Firma, which was launched at a cocktail party in Greenbelt 3 recently. 

Hosted by Firma proprietors Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre, the exhibit was presented together with HSBC Premier, Moët, Restaurante Pia y Damaso and Ayala Malls. 

This was indeed a rare event in the local scene. Bea’s an international fashion figure, after all, even cited as one of the Top Five Designers in a JC Report, alongside the established houses of Lanvin and Balmain. Her creations are regularly featured on the covers of Vogue and other fashion magazines as well as news publications like the Financial Times and Time magazine. A Bea Valdes piece appears yet again in this December’s British Vogue, where Mario Testino’s favorite models of the decade are featured, with one of them — Angela Lindvall — wearing Bea’s “Tellurian” necklace.

Despite the hype and demand, Bea has always remained true to her original vision of designing pieces that would be ultimately regarded as “Art to Wear” and not simply merchandise. Sure enough, Bea and the artisans at her workshop came up with meticulously crafted pieces swathed in an array of tassels, beads and light-filled Swarovski Elements of breathtaking range and brilliance. They were immersed in the season’s themes such as “Cascade,” which explores pieces that evoke flow — a simultaneous reflection of momentum and permanence; and “Voyager,” a series of reinterpreted talismans, all charting the journey from memory into the imagined future. 

Swarovski actually handpicked Bea for a third year in a row to represent Asian design by creating a showpiece for their exclusive jewelry platforms showcased in Paris, New York and Hong Kong. 

This collection was planned and produced together with her mother Pamela Panlilio Valdes and sister Marga Valdes who are also part of BeaValdes, the brand now found in the world’s luxury stores like Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Harrod’s and Harvey Nichols. The hardworking trio, in fact, had just arrived from a successful show for Paris Fashion Week. 

Bea says, “As a designer and as a workshop, we operate by doing each small step to the best of our abilities. The sum of these actions, if all done correctly, brings about a whole movement that we can truly call quality.”

The glorious sound of Gerard Salonga’s FILharmoniKA orchestra was the perfect music to appreciate the exquisitely beaded bags, vests and neckpieces on show. Don Jaime and Doña Bea Zobel Sr. and their daughter Bea Jr., avid supporters of Filipino artists through the years, have always admired Bea’s work. 

There were ergonomic clutches that had modern, aerodynamic shapes embellished with beads, chains and snakeskin in antique gold, copper, bronze and even vivid violet and red. A deceptively simple-looking one in python had the skin gracefully slithering, slightly raised from the body as it moved to the back, with gold beading on the edge to simulate a zipper for a subtle touch of punk. 

 “The Burden of Silk” collection by Bea Valdes is available exclusively at Firma, located at the ground floor of Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati. Call 757-4009, fax 757-4010 or e-mail firma2@vasia.com for inquiries.