Cover Bench Fashion Week Archive
Bench Fashion Week Archive
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Bench Fashion Week enlisted an international design maven, local industry icons, and rising stars among the lineup of its return to an on-site show
The runway of Bench Fashion Week has seen some of the boldest trailblazers in the local fashion scene leaving the audience awe-struck with the magnitude of their sartorial genius at every show since 2017. Continuing this stylish feat is this year's lineup of designers who will proudly showcase their talents and transform clothes from mere pieces of fabric to prêt-à-porter and couture wonders.
See also: A Runway Return: Bench Fashion Week 2022 Is Back for an On-Site Show
From upcoming talents that we should all watch out for to resident names in the local scene, plus an internationally-acclaimed talent making the rounds in the most fashionable places abroad, here are the six designers who will present their collections:
Jenni Contreras
Above Courtesy of BFW
Courtesy of BFW
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Hailing from Los Baños, Laguna, Jenni Contreras' design know-how was refined at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde where she studied Fashion Design & Merchandising. At the young age of 23, she joined the first Bench Design Awards and successfully nabbed the title as one of the three winners of the show. Bench, as part of her prize, sent her to participate in the Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo where she wowed the international audience with her collection. It was also the first time she designed a whole collection for her brand, Problem Studios.
She teamed up with HUMAN to present a 70s-inspired collection for the first day (September 30) of the upcoming show.
Designer's notes on the collection: "One of my favourite things to do when I’m at our house in the province is to go through my parents’ old photo albums in our attic. I was always so curious and fascinated whenever I’d see them when they were younger--the places they went to, the activities they did, and especially the clothes they were wearing.
This collection is a tribute to our parents and their youth that they spent in the 70s."
See also: Retro Style is Back: Have a Look at Onitsuka Tiger’s Collaboration with nowartt
Antonina
Above Courtesy of BFW
Courtesy of BFW
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A homegrown talent, Antonina Abad Amoncio graduated from the University of the Philippines. She draws inspiration from a very personal space, often from her own experiences, socially-relevant issues, and sentiments. Antonina explores an experimentation of fabrics and techniques, threadwork and prints. Her style aesthetic is also a personal inquiry into her own preferences and societal depictions of relevant issues in and beyond our country. Her namesake brand is a personal chronicle of memories and beliefs expressed through forms of clothing. Like Jenni, she also won Bench Design Awards and presented in the Philippines and Japan fashion weeks.
For this iteration, she will present "Anito" on the opening day of BFW.
Designer's notes on the collection: "Anito is a Spring/Summer collection. In this personal collection, Antonina wishes to express the dimension of shadows occupying spaces and escaping a source of light. A dark yet subtle take on exaggerated silhouettes and cut-outs. This is another surface that Antonina hopes to see."
STRONGVILLAGE
Above Courtesy of BFW
Courtesy of BFW
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STRONGVILLAGE is founded by designer Russell Villafuerte. Here's some interesting trivia: "strong village" is the rough English translation of the Spanish word "villa fuerte". The brand's ethos is ethical and guilt-free fashion that draws inspiration from streetwear cultures all around the world. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind garment made from upcycled materials. For its production process, they for aim zero waste, following its sustainable fashion point-of-view.
STRONGVILLAGE is among the collections to be shown on the first day, September 30.
In case you missed it: The Future is Green: 9 Eco-friendly Products to Help You Live Sustainably
Lucy Torres-Gomez
Above Courtesy of Kashieca
Courtesy of Kashieca
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Lucy Torres-Gomez has partnered with Kashieca for their collections in the past. With her style, she finds the balance between elegance and comfort, and infuses it with the practical needs of everyday dressing.
Lucy Gomez x Kashieca will be presented on Saturday, October 1.
Designer's notes on the collection: "In her latest collaboration with Kashieca, she presents a collection of 8 versatile dresses and 8 separates made with fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk that can be mixed and matched to suit any woman’s wardrobe."
Martin Bautista
Above Courtesy of BFW
Courtesy of BFW
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Known for his masterful drapery and garment manipulation, especially of his signature Jersey, Martin Bautista's creations have graced numerous runways, magazine pages, and red carpet events. He is celebrating 15 years in the Philippine fashion industry—a feat not everyone gets to reach. Bautista's muses include A-list celebrities and front-row style icons.
Be sure to check out Bautista's collection on the second day of BFW!
See also: Filipiniana: 7 Stunning Dresses Worn By Celebrities—Jess Wilson, Pia Wurtzbach, And More
Designer's notes on the collection: "Purposefully honed modernity and elevated romanticism have made Martin Bautista a mainstay of the Filipino fashion scene for the past 15 years. Season after season, Bautista delivers an arsenal of dresses and separates that is just understated enough, primed for women who seek alternative occasionwear. For his new collection, Bautista will play with vibrant colours, hints of brights, and athleisure undertones. Some of which will come in slightly exaggerated silhouettes, amplifying the drape textures with unusual fabrications that have been his signatures of late."
Lesley Mobo
Above Courtesy of BFW
Courtesy of BFW
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Lesley Mobo is a Filipino fashion designer making waves in the international arena. A quick peek at the roster of his past work collaborations would tell you exactly the magnitude of his talent. This includes Uniqlo, Donna Karan, and Diesel. in fact, he is a recipient of the Emilio Pucci and the Diesel Award in Italy. His creations have been making the rounds all around the globe, especially in major stylish cities like London, Lisbon and Düsseldorf
He is set to present a collaboration with Bench entitled "Masaganang Bukid" on the last day of BFW, October 2.
Designer's notes on the collection: "Masaganang Bukid” is a celebration of abundant rural life in the Philippines and its rich cultural and agricultural heritage. A tribute to our Filipino farmers and farming communities who have harvested in the fields across the provinces until the present day. Our country’s cultural and agricultural history runs deep in the rural areas playing a critical role not only in keeping our countryside beautiful and prosperous but also in keeping our unique Philippine traditions alive.
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When Jio is not creating content for Tatler Philippines' social media channels or covering style-related stories, he's probably binge-watching David Attenborough-narrated documentaries or nursing his vintage shopping fixation. He plans on using fashion criticism as a force for good. Follow him @hijowho or send him an email at jio@tatlerphilippines.com.
