Earth-friendly creations with loads of style?and made by students, to boot
WITH A NUMBER OF WELL-KNOWN DEsigners and big name brands introducing eco-friendly lines, it?s obvious the fashion industry is going green. This shift towards sustainable fashion promotes the idea that it is possible to live an earth-friendly lifestyle without losing one?s sense of style.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) held its first fashion design competition during the 50th edition of Manila F.A.M.E International.

The theme, ?The Green Scene: Eco-Pinoy Fashion,? was chosen to celebrate the culture, history, heritage, resources, destinations, festivals, regions and islands of the Philippines. Participating fashion students from LaSalle College International (LCI), UP Clothing Technology and the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) were asked to create inventive and very wearable pieces using recycled, organic and indigenous materials.

Fashion design students Mark Tamayo and Vania Romoff, both students of The School of Fashion and the Arts, bagged the top two awards. LaSalle College International student, Engie Garcia, placed third.

MARK TAMAYO, Grand prize winner, School of Fashion & the Arts (SoFA)

?I chose jusi for its distinctive Filipino character and evocative appeal, quite similar to the Philippine pearl. For embellishment, I used bottle tin caps?tansan?in keeping with the Go Green concept. Metallic accents from the neighborhood hardware store are also used to adorn the dress.?

A native of Tacloban City, Tamayo said his piece, ?Hope,? was inspired by fellow Waray Imelda Marcos. This 19-year-old fashion design student gave a modern spin to the classic and elegant silhouette by recreating it in a shorter, sexier cut.

VANIA ROMOFF, second place winner, School of Fashion & the Arts (SoFA)

She describes her piece thus: ? ?Urban Eco Warrior? is reflective of the Filipino persona at present?strong, aware and full of hope. Clad in knee-high boots and a defensive mask, [there?s] the modern eco warrior?.

The design uses recycled upholstery as base material. The fish net represented security, while the jusi bloom detail symbolized hope.

Vania says she likes clean lines and feminine pieces. ?Although I like experimenting with designs, I?m guided by common sense.?

ENGIE GARCIA, third place winner, LaSalle College International

LaSalle College International graduating student Engie Garcia?s piece was entitled ?Despite The Storm.? By constructing a skirt made of walis tambo, she wanted to symbolize the act of cleaning up and the spirit of helping each other out in the aftermath of Tropical Storm ?Ondoy.?

?It represents bringing people together. Though it may seem that we can never recover, hope still prevails and the shiny bottle cap embellishments visualize this,? she said.

Who?d have thought making use of indigenous fabric, bottle caps, and the everyday broom would result in something so stylish and wearable?