To Aspire, To Dream, To Become A Model.

CEBU, Philippines - Seasons change and so does fashion. Models, too, come and go as trends transcend time season after season. In Cebu, fashion designers pave the way for the model image that could carry their masterpieces like the wind. The tallest and slimmest of the models make it big on the catwalk. As for the commercial side, height and figure do not matter so much. In fact, some of the prettiest print ad models fall short on the runway market. This means that modeling is not limited to a few stereotypes, but is open to all who can capture the existing market whether in print, commercials, and now even hosting and joining beauty pageants as they progress in a career that is as fickle as time and the weather.

On July 17, 2010, STYLISSIMO SESSIONS, the summer style workshop organized by the STYLEFIRM and ADMODELS MANAGEMENT, in cooperation with CEBU DESIGN EDUCATION FOUNDATION & ANTHILL FABRIC GALLERY will culminate in a fashion event dubbed as STYLE GALA 2010. Fifteen aspiring young models get to be introduced to the public after completing the Basic Fashion Modeling workshop that started this summer. Mentors from the fashion and events industry of Cebu extended their expertise to train and work on the skills, knowledge and the attitude of the model students as they go through the weekly lecture and drills done at the Chiye Mori Design Library at the Rivergate Complex. The workshops started with a brief history of the modeling industry and the realities of being a model on and off the camera, followed by a Personality Enhancement program by Ms Taina Rabaya, an experienced corporate trainer and a faculty member of the Cebu Institute of Technology. Runway coaching was spearheaded by Pops Micheal Bacatan, Posing and Projection by Andre Dedamo, Public Speaking & Hosting by Dr Grace Balankig, Beauty Pageant mentoring by Orly Cajegas while Monch Ceballos facilitated the review of the models during the final workshop schedule last week at the Banilad Town Center.

To complete the models portfolio, which is a must-have for all, photographer Cris Gella captured the young and fun avant garde shoot with make up diva Jessi Glova while fashion photographer Joseph Ong and top make up artist Gari Son created the movie icon-inspired glamour shoot as seen in the photos on this page. Prior to the shoots, top hairdresser Jonas Borces conducted a make over session for all the model students to introduce the new look.

Style Gala will also be giving special awards to the deserving students who excel on various fields of modeling - best in runway, best in posing, best in hosting, pageant potential and other awards. Good luck to all the sessionistas and congratulations for making this far! Welcome to the fashion industry!