Aspiring designers get their first cut in Mega's Young Designers Competition

MANILA, Philippines - Eighteen contestants survived the sharp eyes of the fashion council. But now the real battle begins as the fashion council chooses who is strong enough to still be on Mega’s Young Designers Competition.

As the first challenge of this season, aspiring designers were given the tasking of creating an outfit that best describes the attitude “Proud to be Me.” But the challenge didn’t end there. The contestants needed to find a childhood memory or an object from their past that will serve as an inspiration for their design.

Viewers had a glimpse of the fun, dark and amusing pasts of each aspiring designer, as models moved around in their creations. The challengers were nostalgic with the inspiration they chose as they channeled it into their creations. Contestants also expressed their design aesthetic and strengths as designers.

After showing the pieces, the judges deliberated and called the designers who were safe to go to the next round. The remaining contestants who were left onstage had the strongest and the weakest pieces. Each of the remaining designer heard the praises and criticisms of the fashion council.

Mara Chua had one of the strongest look. The avant-garde outfit had a touch of Japanese inspiration, which urged Sari Yap, Mega editor in chief, to maybe try wearing the shorts that Mara created.

Ched Dalogaog used TV as the inspiration from his childhood. Although the inspiration didn’t translate into the creation, the design and cut was well appreciated by the council.

Robin Gundran had only one setback. The design was good but the council was looking for something new. Top fashion designer and judge Avel Bacudio commented on Robin’s use of muted colors saying that he expected more.

All three garnered the strongest praises for the first challenge.

Mega Young Designers Competition judges: Model and STAR columnist Raya Mananquil, Mega editor in chief Sari Yap, and designer Avel Bacudio

Aspiring designers Mary Ty, Ian Mallabo and Ram Silva had a round of beating as the fashion council went through each detail of their design. The outfits were poorly made with their inspirations not translating into their designs. Ian Mallabo and Ram Silva were almost eliminated but were safe to go to the next challenge.

In the end, two contestants had to go. Ismael Palma and Dino Bancoro had a hard time convincing and letting the council understand their concept and their use of fabric. Ismael’s design lacked cohesion. Fashion mentor and Mega fashion editor Angela Alarcon was also present during the deliberation. She had already advised Dino to hold back a little after seeing the poor quality of his fabric choice.

Ismael and Dino didn’t survive the first cut. The remaining contestants had their first taste of pressure and fear as the challenges finally sink in. After the first test, the designers already expect that the succeeding weeks will not be any easier.

With only 16 left, who will be the strongest to win Mega’s Young Designers Competition?

Catch Generation Mega Season 3: Mega Young Designers Competition every Saturday at 7 p.m. with replays on Sundays at 10 a.m. on ETC.

Generation Mega Season 3 was created for television by Mega Publishing Group. For the latest updates, visit www.megastyle.ph. Like Mega on Facebookwww. facebook.com/megamagazine or follow MEGA on twitter www.twitter.com/mega_magazine.