Style collision: Dutch, Filipino designers create fashion-forward fusion

MANILA, Philippines – Imagine this: the rich and glamorous embellishments and embroideries which have always captivated the hearts of Filipino women and men alike. Now imagine the modern and minimalist approach with its simple cuts of one of Europe’s most fashion-conscious places – the Netherlands. What happens when these two opposites meet; a subtle merge to a new destination – or a groundbreaking collision of styles?

This year, the Philippines will witness a unique fashion event where six young fashion designers collaborate to create an innovative and sustainable collection. Through the Fashion Design Exchange Programme organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Manila, three Filipino students will be paired with three students from the Netherlands to submerge themselves in the distinct cultures of both countries.

These six young fashion designers are bound by a singular passion for fashion. After years of study and practice, their personal style as fashion designers not only reflects their respective home-country, but their style also shows constant movement: cause in the high-paced world of fashion, getting stuck in metaphorical traffic is to be avoided at all costs.

With its distinct materials and techniques, a fusion of styles of both cultures will take center stage during this program. Earlier this month, the Dutch students flew to the Philippines to attend design workshops and visit embroidery centers in Lumban, Quezon and Tagaytay and also handpicked fabrics in Divisoria.

Here both Dutch and Filipino students dove headfirst into the differences – but also its similarities – of both countries’ fashion industry. “The Philippines looks at fashion glamorously while the Dutch are simplistic. Even before the Spanish arrived, Filipino fashion was highly-decorated already,” shares Nina Gatan. “This program is a good opportunity to be with people with different cultural and artistic perspectives. It’s a good thing to collaborate on something,” adds Maui Chua.

Together with the other fashion designers, Nina and Maui will travel to the Netherlands to immerse themselves in Dutch fashion and witness Amsterdam Fashion Week; one of Europe’s most prestigious fashion events.

The Fashion Design Exchange Programme is part of the Netherlands’ celebration of its 65 years of diplomatic ties and 150 years of consular relations with the Philippines. It will culminate in a grand fashion show in October where the students will showcase the output of the fusion of Dutch and Filipino fashion.

The celebration, dubbed “Inspire Innovation: Leading Sustainable Innovations toward a Progressive World,” will focus on promoting innovative solutions to sustain international development, capitalizing on the common interests of Dutch and Filipinos.

“We are very excited to see how this collaboration will turn out. We believe in the uniqueness of both Filipino and Dutch fashion and we hope that this program will serve as a platform to highlight the best both countries can offer. It is a great opportunity to weave innovative fashion techniques and fabrics and create something new out of it,” says Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marion Derckx.