Ma. Angelica Alegre created ‘Mariposa.’
From commentaries on toxic work culture and on sustainable industry, to escapism and biomimicry, the messages from the newest fashion innovators continue to push the boundaries of a burgeoning youth fashion through their thought-provoking debut collections.
The four emerging talents, the latest graduates of Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, aim to make a mark in the field.
John Andrei Sumpayco breaks the limits of tailored wear in Chaos Equilibrium. Examining the Japanese concept of karoshi or overwork death, his menswear series embodies the intense work culture of the Japanese, as it seeks to create a balance between formality, deprivation, and leisure.
His distorted and distressed twist on the traditional suit displays meticulous craftsmanship, using classic embroidery, fabric painting, coffee dyeing, and more unorthodox touches such as slash-and-spread and cigarette burning.
A distressed look from ‘Chaos Equilibrium’
‘Chaos Equilibrium’ is the creation of John Andrei Sumpayco.
Darius Jireh Juson makes a step towards a more sustainable industry in REPAMANA. A call for a circular economy, his anti-fast fashion womenswear champions functionality, versatility, and longevity.
It features upcycled modular garments that can be restyled and reused in multiple ways, all made from discarded textiles such as cotton, silk, and denim, accentuated with natural plant-derived dyes and found objects.
A push for upcycling and sustainability in ‘REPAMANA’
‘REPAMANA’ was created by Darius Jireh Juson.
Ma. Angelica Alegre encapsulates the eye-catching charm of butterflies in Mariposa. A study on biomorphism and biomimicry, her RTW pieces mirror the intricate patterns, structure, and coloration of one of the most beautiful insects.
The bold swatches and textures, highlighted with lenticular effects and Arashi Shibori pleats, invite wearers and viewers to reconnect with the wonders of nature, especially in a world that’s slowly opening up after the lockdowns.
The ‘Mariposa’ collection
Butterflies inspire the ‘Mariposa’ collection.
Fredric Isaac Leysa explores fashion as escapism in Nocturne. A seamless marriage of pleats and prints, this posh eveningwear is a journey into the polarities of dreams and nightmares, to embrace the beauty of the surreal and the macabre as sources of solace.
Each piece showcases diverse compositions and detailed construction achieved through the chevron pleating technique.
Pleats and prints meet in the ‘Nocturne’ collection.
The ‘Nocturne’ collection on the runway
Fredric Isaac Leysa created ‘Nocturne.’
