Design powerhouse SoFA Design Institute blazed a trail in the local fashion industry with its recently concluded 2014 Graduation Show. The event put a spotlight on the extraordinary stories spun and translated into edgy and eclectic six-piece collections by 20 of its graduates.
Directed by Robby Carmona, the evening was filled with creativity and innovation as the crowd viewed insightful and sartorially savvy creations by some of the country’s most promising designers. The tales told were rich and diverse, but ultimately compelling. From contrasts of hard and soft, muted and vivid, symmetrical and off-kilter, the fashion narratives crossed geographical and cultural borders and eras, and even spanned space and the future.
“SoFA’s annual graduation show is where our students fearlessly showcase the fruits of their education here in SoFA,” said SoFA dean Tobias Guggenheimer. “Our aim is to produce fashion visionaries who will elevate the craft by proving that design theories and concepts can be translated into practical, tangible solutions when they are founded on solid ideas, not impulses.”
Design-focused
The work of this year’s graduates is proof of SoFA’s commitment to the design-focused educational experience, which earned SoFA its credibility as the country’s foremost design school. Bringing together creativity, technical proficiency and commercial promise in their works were Genesis Alcantara, Guia Alvendia, Xaxa Cruz, Camille Go, Tanya Hyde, Jessica Kairuz, Nicky Ku, Chloe Kwon, Reese Lansangan, Kurt Libre, Regina Raymundo, Tatenda Sipula, Sofia Erika de la Cruz, Kristine Chong, Marie Aguila, Megan Holm, Michelle Cua, Mick Perez, Pinky Magalona and Wanda Bandojo.
Current fashion sensation and SoFA scholar Tipay Caintic wrapped up the show with “Hell Knows No Wrath Like Yolanda,” her acclaimed collection featured at the International Fashion Show (IFS) 2014 of London Fashion Week, and her tribute to her beloved hometown, Tacloban, one of the hardest-hit areas of Supertyphoon “Haiyan” (locally known as “Yolanda”).
The insightfulness and creativity of these designers will surely continue beyond the campus’ walls. Trained by SoFA to become the future movers and shakers of the fashion industry, these talents are set to establish their own successful brands. “The end goal of SoFA always has to be for its graduates to be able to push their own ideas, philosophy and vision through their own brand,” popular bag designer and SoFA cofounder and executive director Amina Aranaz-Alunan said.
