Ecowalk

CEBU, Philippines - Young fashion designers of the University of San Carlos paired with member-companies of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry to highlight creativity interwoven with advocacy.

The challenge was to make a complete fashionable ensemble using scrap materials unimaginable to the conventional world of fashion. The perfect idea is to walk the talk.

“EcoWalk: Sustainability in Style” Fashion Show, carried out last September 7 in partnership with Anthill Fabric Gallery and the USC Fashion Design students under the mentorship of Peewee Sineneng, served as the culminating event to the annual Mandaue Business Month celebration.

This year’s MBM flaunted the theme: “Transformation through Innovation” which brought forth and showcased the best economic, social and cultural endowments and potentials of Mandaue City by inspiring, educating and advocating for sustainable and environment-friendly business practices while achieving growth.

Candidates of the Miss Mandaue 2011 donned and strutted on the ramp the upcycled creations of fashion ecopreneurs-in-the-making: Kristel Kristiania Perez, Joyce Maw, Aikki Espinoza, Aia Tupas, Sherry Gail Lim Lianting, Paco Serafica, Mique Yapching, Lian Lacandalo, Charmaine Chua, Celine Borromeo, Jemmalyn Borces, Rockell dela Merced, and Josei Ouano Cuizon.

The other half of the fashion show featured Cebu’s top designers and some of the distinguished women of Cebu in business and politics walk for Gawad Kalinga with their children in designer clothes out of fabrics from scrap thread from ANTHILL. Among them are Ms. Edith Cabahug, Mandaue City councilor; Ms. Sarah Cortes, wife of Mayor Jonas Cortes; and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. The three flaunted the creations of Yves Camingue, Leonardo Igloria, and Cary Santiago, respectively.

ANTHILL stands for Alternative Nest and Trading Hub for Ingenious Little Livelihood. Anthill Fabric Gallery showcases tunnels of distinct and special textiles from Asia and also highlights the beauty of intricate woven indigenous fabrics from the Philippine hill tribes. In this shop, fabrics are more than just rolls of cloth. It houses the utilization of fabrics for artistic endeavors and innovative executions transforming fabric into art.

The event, hosted by Oakridge Pavillion - a beautifully designed air-conditioned permanent tent structure at the Oakridge Business Park along A.S. Fortuna Street - was directed by Joey Alberto.  (FREEMAN)