Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013: Happy V. Andrada

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 proved to be another exciting showcase for Filipino designers.  One such designer that I always look forward to seeing a new collection is Happy V. Andrada and this season didn’t disappoint as models sashayed on the runway wearing tops, bottoms, jackets and dresses in fine woven fabrics with interesting architectural details.

PFW Holiday 2013 Happy V. Andrada Collection

Happy’s new collection highlights creations that promote eco-ethical fashion – using natural dyes in 100% organic woven fabrics indigenous to the Philippines – which enable her to help support local skilled artisans from various communities that produced the fabrics.  Happy muses, “I used environment friendly resources to create a collection that supports the Filipino artisan worker. Everything is 100% Philippine made.” In muted color palette of lilac, gray, red and black, Happy worked her magic using Abaca, Pineapple, Pineapple Silk, Pineapple Crepe, Philippine Dupioni, Jusi, Bamboo and Waterlily.  “I plan to use other colors that would fit other seasons for future collections.”

When asked what inspired her to come out with such patriotic collection, Happy shares, “I got invited to showcase my designs in Czechoslovakia, United States of America and Japan and so I decided to highlight Philippine made fabrics to say I am a proud Filipino and at the same time, these fabrics are saving the earth because they are eco-friendly materials and ethical in the sense of production, labor, etc.”

And does the collection have a name? “To be honest this Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2013 collection doesn’t have a title, it’s just babies of my winning entry from FDCP Weaving the Future Smart Choice Award, where my collection was called Barong Reinvented. From there, my designs just evolved,” Happy volunteers. “I also played around with shapes like triangles, so I could call it Triangular Evolution, too.” 

With her wearable art ready for the market, she’ll definitely be on top of the list of fashionistas who are advocates of a healthy earth and giving back to society.

Designer Happy V. Andrada (extreme right)
with models at the PFW Holiday 2013 at SMX

About the Designer

Happy took fashion courses at Central Saint Martins in London. A dynamic young designer, she has been joining and winning shows and contests here and abroad – won as Emerging Designer at the 2012 Miami International Fashion Week International; won two major awards in the last 3rd Asian Weddings and Arts Competition in Hong Kong; won grand prize at the Swatch’s My Rabbit Story and Smart Choice Winner in the Weaving the Future competition by the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines, among others.

The creative lady behind her own fashion label is also an entrepreneur who co-owns F*ART Fashion ART with her equally talented and beautiful sister, book author Viva V. Andrada.

Want to wear her designs and be absolutely happy? Check out Happy V. Andrada’s Ready to Wear line at www.shop.happyandrada.com and you may also try out her creations at her store, F*ART Fashion ART.


As published in BusinessWorld's HerWord.com:
http://herword.com/fashion/happy_andrada_2013/index.php

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2012

Philippine Fashion Week has been at it now for five years in raising awareness for the works of talented local designers whose creations can compete globally in design and quality. Witness the PFW Holiday 2012 shows starting today, May 22, until May 27 at the SMX Convention Center and SM Mall of Asia.

I've been attending some shows for two years now so I can say that each year provides new and exciting showcases for everyone. Seeing the trendy and chic guests is pretty much like watching a fashion show in itself. I look foward to the shows that sent me invites and I will gladly share my photos and experiences here in my blog.

Below is the whole week schedule:

Filed under EVENTS

PFW S/S 2012: GUESS Goes Young & Sexy

GUESS, a brand I grew up, joined the Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 for its first show with a young and sexy vibe.

The simple but well-lighted runway was already a sight to behold even before the fashion show started. After a brief message from Guess Philippines' vice president Anthony Courchet, the runway came to life with a spectacular display of lights and a hip-grinding party music provided by model/deejay Sanya Smith.

Guess Philippines' vice president Anthony Courchet

The all-American brand known for its edgy apparel and accessories, GUESS presented its new "Lights, Camera...Fashion" collection that was inspired by a party vibe and complements the brand's fun and sexy energy. Fashionable and wearable, GUESS' Spring/Summer 2012 collection is definitely trend-defining in great colors: blacks, grays, whites and reds.

GUESS: young and sexy

The women's collection highlighted two key denim fits: the flare and the cropped cigarette leg, paired with romantic blouses and platform shoes. For the men's collection, the stars were washed out indigo and colorful plaid shirts which can be paired with denim basics. There were also lots of chunky knit cardigans and sweaters, graphic tees plus a lot of stylish accessories -- handbags, footwear, watches, eye wear, jewelry, belts and small leather goods.

To wrap up the show and lock-in the theme, popular actors, singers and models sashayed the runway, among them were R&B singer Jay-R; newbie singer and showbiz royalty Zia Quizon; actress and endorser Maxene Magalona; model John Hall; up and coming talents Jamilla Obispo and Tippy Dos Santos; and model siblings Paolo and Bubbles Paraiso, among others.

(l-r): Zia Quizon and Maxene Magalona

(l-r): Jay-R and Jamilla Obispo

(l-r): Bubbles and Paolo Paraiso

Because all went well, GUESS's first PFW show ended fabulously with an after-party where yummy cocktails were served as the young and hip crowd gyrated to club music.

Filed under SHOWS and FASHION

PFW S/S 2012: L'Oreal Paris presents Michael Cinco

Michael Cinco is a Filipino fashion designer who is based in Dubai and known for his fabulous couture gowns and his attention to details. Fresh from the success of his first solo show in the Philippines at the annual Red Cross Charity Ball, he joined Philippine Fashion Week's Spring-Summer 2012 through another solo show last October 24 at the SMX Convention Center, this time presented by L'Oreal Paris.

The invite

The collection was inspired by beautiful goddesses, bringing to life fabulous couture gowns of white, orange, brown, gold and red left the audience gasping in awe -- classic silhouettes done with a modern twist with delicate fringes, lace, and intricate beadings.

Also noteworthy are the "Greek gods" who paraded in nothing but underwear with metallic crotch accents.

Just when I thought that the usual runway walks were done, a group of muscled male models and one female model clad in skimpy but classy beaded body suit posed in the middle of the catwalk and bam! a simulated rain-shower drizzled and drenched their perfect bodies. My first time to actual see such a theatrical fashion show.

It's raining men!

As if this stunt was not enough as a show finale, out came Anne Curtis in a fire red body hugging gown said to cost P500,000.

Anne Curtis

Over-all, Michael Cinco's Spring/Summer masterpiece collection strongly underscores his fierce fashion prowess and extensive working knowledge of the female wearer.

Filed under SHOWS and FASHION