With "Ecology and Environment" as the theme of the international competition, local organizers have adopted the same concept, only placing it within a local context, hence local designers will be working with the theme Rebirth and Renewal: the Philippine Butterfly. Under the banner of patriotism in fashion, the 24 semi-finalists in the competition will be promoting the famed butterfly sleeves, mixing the ecological with the local, adding flair and cerebral fashion concepts to each design.
Member designers of the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) have come out in full force to help promote and assist the young designers on their rise to fame and success in the local and international arena of fashion. With panel discussions on the terno and mentoring programs helpfully provided by FDCP, these designers are working with indigenous materials to put their works in context and showcase local ingenuity.
The top five finalists, chosen by a panel of judges from the fields of art, fashion, and design, will represent the Philippines in the Paris competition. The grand prizewinner receives a roundtrip ticket to Paris as a travel grant from the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, while finalists receive trophies by FDCP member Arnel Papa and French language classes at Alliance Francaise de Manille.
The PFDC 2004 is presented by Guess and brought to you by Max Brenner Chocolate Bar, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Gloria Jeans Coffee, Wetzel Pretzel, Fedex, Mega magazine, Nivea, Rustan’s Essenses, El Cuento Café, Intel, Alliance Francaise de Manille together with media partners Philippine Star, philstar.com and Trotter magazine.