Movers in Fashion

Rajo Laurel

Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was just beginning to feel the globalization of fashion in our shores. The big, high street brands started coming and the awareness of mainstream fashion was slowly taking shape. In many ways it was the birth of fast fashion.

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as energetic! I am an eternal optimist and I see this energy from the amount of young design students and designers who are willing to take on the challenge and the life of being part of this frenetic and rewarding creative life. I feel the positive energy, as there are more fashion schools opening, meaning the demand is there. I also love and appreciate the growth of our industry and how it is becoming a true force. 

Filipino fashion designers are generally creative and super-talented!

What we need are more raw materials! Almost 90 percent of our raw materials are imported. We have virtually zero fabric mills left in the Philippines and this makes me sad. Fabric is the language of our art. We do what we can and we’re good at making beautiful things almost with nothing. Can you imagine if we had better raw materials?

My dream as a Filipino designer is to outlast and outlive my brand.  

Happiness is a state of mind and my family, partner and loved ones make me happy. I am continually inspired by nature. I have a severe case of wanderlust and this hardly makes me keep still. I am inspired to see more of our world and take in all of these experiences one place at a time.  

My biggest frustration is the traffic in Manila! However, on a personal level I want to be healthier and to figure out how to strike a balance. However, my love for good food and drink often undermines this goal so it leaves me happily frustrated. LOL!

The good thing about Filipinos today is awareness. We are all so in touch with everything due to social media and the internet. We are the most technically abreast nation in terms of smartphone technology.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is our complacency. We seem to have lost our moral compass as to what is important and true.

My hope for the country? I want to begin with the eradication of poverty and that more Filipinos will have the more than just the basic means to survive and thrive. I want an educational system that benefits each and every child so that we equip our youth with a fighting chance to succeed. I know it’s corny but in my heart I hope for peace for the Philippines.

Lesley Mobo

?Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was a strange, double-bind brothel.

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as an endless source of excitement and fascination.

Filipino fashion designers are generally resourceful and creative.

What we need is a democratic education or training system that gives everyone a chance to learn and improve.

My dream as a Filipino designer is for our young Pinoy designers to continuously question assumptions and sensibly exploit new technology for fashion design.

What makes me happy and inspires me is passion, unpredictable brilliance and confrontational fashion.

My biggest frustration is mediocrity.

The good thing about Filipinos today is resilience.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is colonial mentality.

My hope for the country is to create more radical provision of innovative creative education in the future.

Mark Bumgarner

Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was on a digital revolution. Blogs and bloggers were disrupting the fashion industry here and abroad.

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as digital. Everything and everyone is on social media.

Filipino fashion designers are generally resourceful. We make beautiful things out of almost anything!

What we need is government support.

My dream is for the Philippines to be a major shopping/fashion capital.

What inspires me is travel.

My biggest frustration is diet!

The good thing about Filipinos today is awareness about issues.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is that we are somehow divided, especially in politics.

My hope for the country is education for everyone for continued progress. And to ward off fake news.

Martin Bautista

Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was all about organic evolution.

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as fast-paced. 

Filipino fashion designers are generally passionate and dedicated.

What we need are more forward thinkers, creative forces, pushing the boundaries of design and commerce.

My dream as a Filipino designer is for the Filipino culture and flavor to be recognized even more globally. 

What inspires me is researching, experimenting and creating on a collection — the entire process for me is liberating.

My biggest frustration is Metro Manila traffic!

The good thing about Filipinos today is they’re hardworking, resourceful and resilient.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is in this generation of social media sometimes we forget to live in the moment.

My hope for the country is support from the government in the areas of textile production, marketing and connecting the creative industry to a more global audience.

Lulu Tan-Gan

?Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was trending towards Filipino creatives, fashion designers and culinary talents, initiated by Ayala Land at Greenbelt 5 — the Filipino Designers Row on the second floor.

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as stale, as an industry. 

Filipino fashion designers are generally very talented.

What we need are visionaries.

My dream as a Filipino designer is to be an interdisciplinary visual artist. 

What makes me happy is the luxury of time and space.

My biggest frustration is giving instructions over and over again.

The good thing about Filipinos today is they’re still smiling.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is they’re less committed.

My hope for the country is for a benevolent leader of wisdom.

Rhett Eala

Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was vibrant, like it is today.

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as young and more global than before.

Filipino fashion designers are generally very creative and resilient.

What we need are better supply of raw materials and a museum of fashion.

My dream as a Filipino designer is to showcase the works of designers that came before me.

What inspires me? My nephews inspire me to do better work.

My biggest frustration is not having enough energy to do more work.

The good thing about Filipinos today is they are more hardworking and well informed.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is being immune to the inefficiencies of our daily life.

My hope for the country is to have more opportunities for work here rather than working abroad.

Vania Romoff

Ten years ago, Philippine fashion was exciting! 

Today, the state of Philippine fashion can be described as thriving!

Filipino fashion designers are generally talented.

What we need are more inclusive platforms and avenues for growth, especially for younger designers.

My dream as a Filipino designer is to grow globally with the rest of the fashion community.

What makes me happy and inspires me is my daughter.

My biggest frustration is the lack of green, open spaces in Makati. 
The good thing about Filipinos today is the growing support for anything locally crafted!

The bad thing about Filipinos today is politics.

My hope for the country is for the peso to increase again!

Patty Ang

Ten years ago, the presence of social media was not as strong as it is now; because of this, becoming a well-known fashion designer was very challenging. Before you could get ample amount of exposure and to your desired market, you’d have to really throw yourself out there and make a name for yourself with little or no help at all.

If I had to choose a word to describe the state of Philippine fashion today, it would be “revolutionized.” With all the advancements in technology , the game in the industry has certainly changed. There are now more tools that are readily available to help fashion designers and fashion-inclined businesses to better succeed.

Filipino fashion designers are generally visionaries. We dream and aspire through our creations. We’re always so eager in generating new ideas to share to everyone. No matter how modest or grandiose the design, we still make it.

What we need is to know the value of taking risks, I mean, in the first place, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t take the risk. For me, confidence and belief in oneself are directly proportional to one’s success.

My dream as a Filipino designer is reflected in our brand’s philosophy and vision. Patty Ang is a house that aims to create ripples of change in the fashion industry by creating an empowered and confident extensive clientele.

What makes me happy? Seeing my people happy really makes my day.

My biggest frustration? I fear time is never enough.

The good thing about Filipinos today is their resilience. They don’t give up easily and make sure to get back on their feet when something knocks them down. I have also exhibited this trait several times; the world I live in is a challenging one. I, too, have experienced my fair share of road bumps when I started the business and even now, there are still times when we’re faced with a multitude of adversities. During these times, I just stay resilient and hopeful. I face those difficulties with a smiling face and, before I know it, the tough times have passed.

The bad thing about Filipinos today is their tendency to be over-complacent, or the so-called “bahala na” mentality. Filipinos tend to play everything by ear. We lack the ability to prepare and anticipate challenges that we might face in the future. I, too, have been a victim of this mindset before. Today, I consider planning and preparation to be vital processes, not only in business but also in life.

My hope is for more people to support and appreciate local products, designs and ideas.