What's in your head?
MANILA, Philippines - Everything starts with an idea. And when that idea is nurtured in a premier learning environment, that idea can flourish into a career.
The School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) celebrates its third anniversary by mounting a unique exhibit and an impressive symposium at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall, fittingly titled “Invisible Ideas.”
Five creative industry leaders congregate to answer the question “From idea to icon: How do you succeed as an artist in business?” Kenneth Cobonpue (furniture design), Rajo Laurel (fashion), Ivy and Cynthia Almario (interior design) and Raymund Isaac (photography) generously share their experiences with an audience of aspiring designers, press and enthusiasts. The notable speaker lineup is especially relevant as SoFA launches its brand-new School of Interior Design. The Almario sisters have partnered with the original SoFA owners to establish this innovative interior design school.
“Invisible” furniture, gowns, shoes and bags made of plastic, glass, mirrors and sheer materials by both well-known and up and coming designers make up the avant-garde exhibit. A large topiary made with used plastic water bottles invites viewers to come close to appreciate the intricacy of the leaves and branches carved out of plastic. These extraordinary sculptures were produced by inmates from the maximum security compound of the Muntinlupa Prison. SoFA’s collaboration with the inmates is aligned with SoFA’s mission to develop passionate, visionary, creative and entrepreneurial individuals.
The highlight of the cocktail hosted by SoFA on Tuesday, September 21 is a model wearing a Michele Sison et Kleid transparent gown sitting on an invisible chair. There is literally no chair and the model takes a cross legged seated position while floating in the air, resting her weight on what appears to be nothing. This fascinating display is testimony to the fact that good design, like magic, can captivate and amaze spectators.
In the past three years, SoFA has built a sound reputation as a specialized fashion college. It is the home school of Project Runway Philippines and a partner of Europe’s leading design school Istituto Marangoni. Its students have won design competitions such as CITEM’s, been awarded by fashion publications such as Preview, and embarked on promising fashion careers.
Today, SoFA introduces its new identity as the SoFA Design Institute. Within the Institute is the School of Fashion and the Arts and the new School of Interior Design. Opening like fashion did with a set of appealing workshops, the interior design school aims to eventually offer a complete range of programs including those that will prepare students for the board exam.
As it expands to other creative fields, SoFA remains committed to providing an education that sparks innovation and ingenuity and develops globally competitive design entrepreneurs.
