Sew good

MANILA, Philippines - Graduating for some students probably means simultaneously juggling the chaos of thesis defense and final exams, but this is not the case for the fashion design and merchandising students. In fashion, graduation means designing a three-piece collection, putting up a fashion show and exhibit, and building your own image. All of which needs to be accomplished in just a few months.

Last Aug. 10, the 2016 graduating batch of fashion design and merchandising students from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde showcased their works in an annual culminating activity, “Sinulid: The Threads of Design Fashion Show and Exhibit.”

Manrepeller: Tong Bautista’s collection is inspired by the gang members of South L.A.’s Vicky’s Town and also has a mix of sexuality and androgyny.

“Fashion is a business,” says the “Queen of knitwear” and chairperson of DLS-CSB’s Fashion Design and Merchandising program, Lulu Tan-Gan. The program doesn’t solely focus on designing but also prepares graduates in production and marketing procedures. This year marks their first presentation, covering both tracks — design and merchandise marketing, along with a minor showcase on styling.

The initial presentation was an exhibition of different pop-up stores from the group of merchandising students at the Atrium Hall of SM Aura Premier. Students were able to design their own brands and express their unique identities, as well as display the value of aesthetics and understanding their target markets. The retail-like exhibit allowed them to utilize the business and branding elements they learned during their stay at De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde and translate it into their own businesses. This track showed the graduates an edge in their respective competitive markets, which would also be helpful in their upcoming careers in fashion buying, merchandising and entrepreneurship.

Also, with the current need for more personal imaging, the styling specialty exhibit provided a venue for students to hone their skills, preparing them to take on the task of creating a style brand for clients which would include a roster of celebrities, socialites and corporate executives.

Free man: Neal Corpus’ collection is a juxtaposition of traditional menswear and skate culture.

 The second presentation — an annual runway show held at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier — featured the designs of 40 young and upcoming talents. Their work showcases the technique, creativity and skill of their craft. A variety of individualistic looks took to the octagon-like runway, from the classic to the avant-garde, ready-to-wear to bespoke, and daywear to eveningwear.

There is nothing in this world that can teach students better and faster than experience. “Experience and exposure play a very significant part in your fashion education,” adds Tan-Gan.

 After four years of academic and artistic foundation studies, a new crop of young design talents is ready to emerge in this enormous, sometimes cutthroat industry. The 2016 batch of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde’s Fashion design and Merchandising program has finally sewn it all together for “Sinulid: The Threads of Design.”

Photos by KITKAT PAJARO