Manila F.A.M.E International launches eco-fashion

Creation dubbed Modern Eco Warrior awarded second prize

A modern take on the terno bagged first prize

Eco-passion meets fashion at the 50^th edition of Manila F.A.M.E. International, a bi-annual trade platform for home and fashion lifestyle sectors. Old seat covers, fishnets, discarded x-ray films, plastic bags as well as sinamay, abaca, and bamboo were transformed into wearable pieces by young student designers inspired by fiestas, the jeepney, capiz windows, and even typhoon Ondoy. Fourteen design students from La Salle College International, School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA), and University of the Philippine Diliman brought their A-game submitting a total of seventeen entries at Manila F.A.M.E.’s first Eco-Pinoy Fashion Design Competition held last October 15, 2009 at the World Trade Center. The design practitioners’ models sashayed down the runway wearing pieces made of recycled, natural, indigenous, and organic materials that reflect Filipino culture and lifestyle. The Eco-Pinoy Fashion Design Competition, among the many special events at Manila F.A.M.E. this edition, follows the global trend for ecological and sustainable designs. Manila F.A.M.E. is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. The design competition aims to seed new talents in the industry by supporting budding designers and future movers of the Philippine design industry who have the potential to become the next big names in the international design scene. “It’s always good to have design competitions [like this] as it promotes creativity and it is also a platform to discover new talents and launch careers in fashion. It is through competitions where boundaries in design are pushed to its limits hence a lot of new ideas spring forth,” says judge and curator of Manila F.A.M.E. Fashion Hall Patrice Ramos-Diaz. Stylebible.ph Managing Editor and fellow judge Isha Andaya agrees, saying, “I think it's a great venue to allow these young students to explore their design capabilities. With every task and challenge comes the opportunity to learn more about yourself— your limitations and your strengths. As a budding designer, it helps one develop a signature sense of style.”

Fashion meets eco-passion at Manila F.A.M.E. International Seventeen entries from fourteen promising design students at Manila F.A.M.E.'s Eco-Pinoy Fashion Design Competition

Fashion meets eco-passion at Manila F.A.M.E. International Talahib inspired entry

Of the creations, Diaz says, “[They] were quite impressive. I was glad to see a number of very promising talents.”

School of Fashion and the Arts student Mark Archibald Tamayo emerged as the first place winner with his modern take on the terno. Tamayo’s objective was to preserve the elegance and timelessness of this Filipino trademark but at the same time lend it a younger appeal hence the short and asymmetrical cut. He used jusi and bottle caps for embellishment and chose the color yellow representing mangoes and bananas— fruits the Philippines is known for.

Vania Romoff also from SOFA bagged the second prize with her Modern Eco Warrior model clad in rain boots and defensive mask. Awarded third place was Engie Garcia of La Salle College International who was inspired by Typhoon Ondoy for her layered skirt made out of walis tambo.

Manila F.A.M.E.’s fashion hall gathered close to a hundred exhibitors of fashion complements and accessories, garments, textile, and footwear. For more information, visit www.manilafame.com, or contact Manila F.A.M.E. Secretariat at (632) 833.1258/ 831.1265 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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