Iloilo’s grandest annual fashion gala was headed by Iloilo Fashion Designers Council together with Iloilo Models Guild (IMG) last March 16, 2019 at Festive Walk Parade, Megaworld Iloilo Business Park. It featured 28 designers with 8 of them as participants for 2019’s New Breed Designers Competition.
Designs that featured the Iloilo Fashion Designers Council were from Audrey Albason, Ayan Jorda, Binky Pitogo, Hello Hello, John Montinola, Jun-G Candelario, Lexter Badana, and Paul Conte. Guest designers that showcased their designs included Alfie Desamparado, Dauson Bermtay, Jet Torrento, Jor-El Espina, Mark Arnel, Mel Quimpo, Peach Garde, Ram Silva, Ysther Grejaldo, Renan Pacson, Ched Studio, and Don Protasio.
For this year’s 2019 New Breed Designers Competition, the contestants were Andy Basco, Edgar Joseph Derecho, Elna Salcedo, Frietz Von Pamplona, Glen Japet Paracale, Jio Gayonoche, John Pe Larlar, and Matt Yeu.
I personally had my top picks from this event. A few of them came from the talented designers participating in the New Breed Competition with most of them coming from the featured designers. I admire these collections because they are fresh, flowy, trendy without compromising the edginess of the outfit.
The noteworthy collections from the show were styles containing ruffles and asymmetric details with a lot of volume. These type of styles I have admired most were from Paul Conte’s collection of chic fashionista dressing from daytime wear to nighttime sass. Fabulous outfits paired with a high bun hairstyle completed the whole ensemble.
John Pe Larlar, a contestant from Iloilo New Breed Competition, stood out from the crowd bringing quirky, eclectic dressing to the runway. The mood, the taste and the fabric used were impressive. I believe that through these competitions, up and coming designers challenge their way of curating their collection. Huge congratulations for such great works from all competitors this year.
It was a great night in celebration of Iloilo’s fashion industry. It is of great pride that Iloilo came to showcase Iloilo’s take on trends and style – very much ready to take on the national and global stage. Until the next Iloilo Fashion Gala!
