Fashion festival

Fashion in the Philippines is becoming a landscape of design and retail showcase. The attention to seasonal forecasts or industry gatherings is celebrated at the biggest malls or luxurious hotels. 

Two years ago, the birth of a new platform unfolded at the Manila Fashion Festival (MFF). Featuring top and young designers, the biannual event has become a celebratory exhibition of Filipino vision and craftsmanship. The reputable and objective staging of style founded by Art Personas (a contemporary management, events and production company) is the new guard in presenting local fashion’s trends and forecasts, season after season. Since its founding in 2013, the MFF has become a distinguished mise-en-scène of design profusion of up-and-coming major players in fashion.

This season, MFF once again unfolds a four-day style spectacle of the latest in Philippine fashion, from Oct. 22 to 25 at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City. Both fresh and astute designers, together with a handful of retail brands, all totaling to 31 names, unfold their Spring/Summer 2016 collections in one of the biggest industry events this year. The “now” festival gives an insight into a variety of design points of view. MFF’s growing presence in the past seasons has made it to become one of the leading advocates in promoting and supporting the relevance of local talent.

The MFF’s visionary approach into the scene is another noble cause to help realize the support needed by the local industry. In general — with the abundance of outstanding talent, brilliant design and craftsmanship and continuous development to make the big leap globally — there is an alarming need to spotlight the seriousness of fashion. Though past efforts and initiatives from different independent groups shouldn’t be discounted, much work is still needed to catch up with fast-tracking neighboring countries in the region and more so in the global fashion landscape.

In the pursuit of making the big leap — with the help of Manila Fashion Festival and other noteworthy platforms — the collective move is a sign of hope to take everything fashion forward.

Manila Fashion Festival is presented by Art Personas and Bomberg under the direction of Jackie Aquino with JCA Productions.

Photography by Ezra Cerezo • Makeup by Donna Magadia, Alona Munez, Beverly Bernardino, Marjorie Divina and Jasmine Berberabe • Models: Irene, Mabelle, Janine, Anne, Hana, Karl, Justin, Geisha, Ivanna and Jessica

all from Art Personas