Bench holds first-ever Fashion Week and Design Awards

For the first time, Bench will hold a Fashion Week and launch the Bench Design Awards to celebrate Filipino artistry.

As a brand that prides itself in crafting, promoting, and loving local, Bench celebrates its 30th year with its first ever Bench Fashion Week—a three-day showcase of the latest collections from some of the country's most recognized brands. This will run from March 10-12 at The Playground of the Bench Tower in Bonifacio Global City. While it is a preview from local casualwear brands Bench, Human, and Kashieca, it will also include three of Bench's global partner brands: American Eagle Outfitters, Cotton On, and Vero Moda.

The Bench Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2017 show will also feature three of today's most successful local designers. First is Sassa Jimenez, a young designer who known for her sleek, sexy approach to womenswear. Back in 2014, Jimenez collaborated with Kashieca for the brand's Little Black Dress campaign presented at that year's Philippine Fashion Week.

The dynamic design duo of Rik Rasos and Pat Bondoc will show off their streetwear sensibilities at Bench Fashion Week. Their ready-to-wear label Proudrace, will also be present at BFW S/S 17. Menwear designer, Ziggy Savella,known for his sharp suits and pajama-inspired pieces, Savella recently collaborated with Bench's official magazine, Benchmark, and designed varsity-inspired pieces in celebration of the brand's 30th year in the fashion biz.

Bench Fashion Week will also mark the arrival of its latest international endoser, the world's hottest math teacher, Pietro Boselli. The Italian professor-cum-professional model, who became an instant Internet sensation after a candid photo from one of his lectures went viral online, will be joining the final day of the Bench Fashion Week. Pietro will also be do a round of fan meets in Manila and in Davao.

Bench Fashion Week will be highlighted bt the unveiling of the first- ever Bench Design Awards—an initiative meant to put the spotlight on undiscovered local talent. This is an open call for designers nationwide—10 of whom shall be selected to present their own collections at the next Bench Fashion Week in September of this year. With the help of organizers from Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo, three winners shall be chosen and sent to Japan in October to present alongside Bench at the Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo S/S 2018.

Bench founder Ben Chan explains: "This time, it's not just about growing locally; it's about expanding globally, and proving just how much Filipino talent can do."