Last night’s “Weaving the Future” finals night was a culmination of months of planning and hard work, and the excitement could be felt even during rehearsals and as last-minute preparations were underway at the Pagcor Grand Theater.  FDCP’s vision for this competition is far-reaching, and as a social design competition its ripple effects are meant to be felt a long time after the excitement over the winners has died down.

More than just discovering new talent, FDCP’s “Weaving The Future” aims to revitalize interest in our local fabrics, as well as weave together the innovative and exciting designs from eager young minds with the experience and skill of age-old craftsmanship.  The prestigious line-up of judges this year included Josie Natori, Cesar Gaupo, Bea Zobel de Ayala, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Marivic Pineda, Pepito Albert, Joey Yupangco, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Mark Nicdao, Wynn Wynn Ong and Thelma San Juan.

Early preparations at the cavernous Pagcor grand theater where “Weaving The Future” was held

Last minute fittings & rehearsals–there was so much room backstage! 🙂

Contestants hanging out before competition night

Fitting Grace with the barong I designed for FDCP’s Manila Wear segment.  Jeans by Bench, shoes by Figlia Couture.

Models backstage wearing modern, sustainable, eco-chic fashions for “Weaving the Future”

Ivar, Joey and myself all dressed up and ready to welcome guests into the venue (thanks for the pic, sexy-tary Sandy B!)

Good friend & staunch FDCP supporter, Katrina Holigores, made it to the show.  Thanks Kat! 🙂

Judge (& headturner), Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, wearing an intricately woven Regine Dulay creation

Instead of participation in international competitions like the Concours International des Jeunes Createur de Mode in Paris as was done in the past, this year’s grand prize winners would receive P200,000 seed money to continue their line (in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga), a 2-year scholarship for fashion and marketing at School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA), a 1-year subscription to PLDT Watchpad, a Technomarine watch, a Samsung 32″ LCD TV and DVD player, and a 1-year mentoring program  in social entrepreneurship from SMART.

Competing designs for “Weaving The Future” accessories division

Multi-stranded neck piece that could be worn as separates

Shoe design incorporating banig weaves and carvings

Belt that mixed ikat weaves with sea snakeskin

Nine finalists for the accessories division

Local weaves modernized with pastel colors, textures and a bit of shine

Earthy tones, Oriental silhouettes and touches of leather mix with local weaves

Piña and jusi mix it up with sorbet shades & clean lines for a modern take on luxe

Happy Andrada’s light layers, modern cuts and beautiful muted shades won her the SMART Choice Award

Mark Tamayo’s richly textured and intricately-cut pieces won him the Technomarine Award

Beautiful fit and classic lines punched up with unusual details and mix of materials

Ten finalists for the apparel division

Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines’ Manila Wear (together with Bench jeans)

Modern tops inspired by the iconic Barong Tagalog

FDCP members take a bow

FDCP President, JC Buendia, & FDCP member & SOFA founder Amina Aranaz-Alunan prepare to present the awards

Presenting the trophy for the accessories division as FDCP founder & Chairperson, Josie Natori, announces the winner

Emotional and teary-eyed…

Congratulations Adante Leyesa, grand prize winner of “Weaving The Future” accessories division!  His winning piece combined wooden beads wrapped in piña, with nito, hinabol and pearls.

For the apparel division, the winning collection combined hablon, mixed abacca, piña and banana seda along with dyed fine hemp

Congratulations Roland Alzate, grand prize winner of “Weaving The Future” apparel division!

And last, but not least, congratulations to all the contestants and to FDCP for a successful (and sustainable) Philippine Fashion Design Competition!  May this be the beginning of working together and weaving the future as one united industry 🙂

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