Expect a lot from the bright young things on March 28 when the Samsung-Metrowear series kicks into high gear. For the first time, the fashion show series, helmed by Metro magazine’s editorial team, will be debuting collections by the young design set. This marks the magazine’s initial partnership with the Young Designers Guild (YDG), which also coincides with their 25th anniversary.
“Samsung-Metrowear’s goal is to give exposure to these young designers, and for this partnership to have valuable impact on the designers’ respective businesses,” says Metro magazine editor in chief Mel Cuevas.
“Now on its sixth year, Samsung-Metrowear aims to showcase the design caliber of the country’s foremost fashion designers. With Metro magazine’s vision, along with the overwhelming support of Samsung, Samsung Metrowear gives designers the chance to showcase their work and strut their stuff. The quarterly format also gives the industry sustained activity,” adds Cuevas.
“Metrowear actually started as a yearly collaboration between the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP), led by designers Randy Ortiz and Tonichi Nocom, and Metro magazine, but over the years, the list grew to include young and ‘independent’ designers, and spun off into a series of shows,” states Cuevas.
The selection of designers, from accessories-maker Ciara Serumgard, who turned to coffee as inspiration for her earthy pieces, to John Herrera, whose collection references Jeff Koons’ stainless-steel structure “Rabbit,” (“I liked how light reflects on the sculpture,” he says), spans styles as distinctive as the designers’ influences.
Though the show highlights the vanguard designs of local design’s new generation, many of the designers featured were quick to point out that this series will be putting a new, more progressive spin on the young talents. “My set will be entertaining and fun,” says Ferdie Abuel, one of the YDG members, “but also more grown-up.”
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Samsung Metrowear will be presented at the Rigodon Ballroom of Manila Peninsula on March 28 at 6:30 p.m.