When fashion meets art

Since 2009, Freeway has successfully reintroduced Philippine arts and culture to the consciousness of the younger generation with its Freeway Loves Art: National Artist Collectors’ Series. This “fashionalism” gave birth to a well admired series that featured National Artists Nick Joaquin (Literature), Ang KiuKok (Visual Arts), Jose Garcia Villa (Literature), Ramon Valera (Fashion Design) and the first living National Artist in the series, F. Sionil Jose (Literature).

Now on its sixth installment of the National Artist Collectors’ Series, Freeway honors Vicente Manansala, National Artist for Visual Arts, for its Holiday 2011 collection. A party was held at The Row, Glorietta 5 to launch the new series.

The event’s venue was teeming with portrait and sketch artists who did several sessions at the lobby of Glorietta 5. The artists used many mediums, from ball pens to pen and ink to pastel on felt paper. Artists who did the sketches and paintings included Aris Bagtas, Sam Bulaga, Allen Casacop, Emer Casacop, Jo Florendo, Armida Francisco, Mark Louie Gonzales, Lourdes Inosanto, David Justimbaste, Lawton Ladao, Raquel Molata, Noli Principe, Mischa Semana and Dennis Tresvalles.

Tim Yap and Divine Lee, both wearing Freeway Manansala outfits, kept the program interesting and bubbly. Tim wore a Manansala jacket especially made for him while Divine wore a kimono style sublimation print. The program started with a 10-minute video presentation on the life of Manansala. 

Special guests included Maritess Mendoza-Pineda, president of Friends of Manansala Foundation, Cedie Lopez-Vargas of the Lopez Museum and Ronna Manansala, granddaughter of Vicente. They shared their interesting stories and experiences with Manansala. They also shared their moments with Enteng, as Manansala was fondly called, and let the audience in on some things previously unknown to the public about the National Artist.

The 22-piece collection was showcased in a fashion show. As the collection was worn by models onstage, the original art pieces were flashed on the LED screen. 

The vibrant colors of the Manansala paintings were showcased in the sublimation knits, as well as in the woven pieces through prints and embroideries. Fab shoes worn by models were sponsored by Muñiz Shoes, designed by Carmina Villarroel and now available online at select Ensembles outlets. Make up of the runway models was by Margo Sarmiento, hair by Nina Escano, Charlene Manibo and Anna Liza Sulthan.

That night proved once again that fashion and art are a merry mix.

Check out the collection at www.freeway.net.ph. Check Freeway on Facebook (facebook.com/FreewayOnline) and follow on Twitter (twitter.com/FreewayOnline)