The future of fashion is Filipino — and it’s a bright one
What a time to be alive for fashion fans, style savants and, really, anyone ready to be wowed by Philippine fashion that truly deserves to be seen, celebrated and experienced. PHx Station, a retail pop-up in Greenbelt 5, stands as testament to the local fashion scene’s energy: abound and buzzing with new talent, an undying spirit that’s steadfast and persevering, and the fire that continues to blaze trails and put Philippine fashion on the map.
Led by the PHx Fashion Group, its founders Seph Bagasao and Esme Palaganas, with the support of art advocate Trickie Lopa, PHx Station culminates the PHx Fashion Conference that kicked off in 2019, a fashion mentoring program that was initiated in support of Filipino designers.
“PHx aims to equip local fashion creatives with the skills to take their brands global,” shares Palaganas. “It’s a directional way of providing a platform, be it in education or in retail events, to put global theory into local practice. It allows us to see and support brands and designers that can flourish, and we are able to be part of those initial steps.”
Signs of the times
PHx Station becomes the much-needed space where contemporary Filipino designers, new and seasoned, can showcase their works — beyond their graduation show, beyond their website and social media, and beyond the seasonal three-day bazaars.
“Contemporary fashion responds to the culture of our time — it doesn’t necessarily mean young,” Palaganas says, of the fashion curation on display at PHx Station. “Personally, I think that contemporary means having something to say about the world and society we live in.”
Seeing the designs up-close and personal, one can indulge in the intricacies of the clothes’ woven patterns, a happy result of the designer’s imagination and the artisan’s interpretation; the fine jewelry that can be worn as a badge of honor and a statement piece, a handiwork of history, heritage and creative craft; and the colors, techniques and strong vision of one designer vis-à-vis the next, creating an immersive shopping experience that can only be had in store.
“Be it in a smart way of dressing through well-made tailoring, the use of sustainable materials, or embracing hyperlocal and interpreting our culture in more ways than one, contemporary fashion is a current reflection of our times,” adds Palaganas.
The time is now
If anything, it’s an indication that designers — and consumers — are ready. Philippine fashion is having its moment and PHx Station signals its arrival.
Currently on the racks are AIRE, Idyllic Summers, Jude Macasinag, Kelvin Morales, Kill Joy Studios, Novel, Randolf and TOQA, as well as Adam Pereyra from SoFA Design Institute and Juliane Joyce from iAcademy. These are brands that are a proud showcase of our repertoire, to be worn and owned, for the world to marvel at, appreciate, and learn a thing or two about the passion that drives us and fuels our fashion.
“PHx is a reflection of what creatives see in the world around us, and for consumers and what they actively buy and see fit relevant in their lifestyles,” says Palaganas. “And for the Filipino market now, it’s embracing the homegrown brands and creative minds that we have — be it in the shoes, jewelry, or clothing offered here,” she concludes.
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Shop the third batch of PHx Fashion Group at Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati until Jan. 15, 2024.
