Since 2009, fashion brand Freeway has been honoring National Artists of the Philippines through its National Artists Collector’s Series. The collection incorporates the works of the selected artist in the company’s ready-to-wear and fashion accessories.
This year, Freeway will be giving tribute to National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab), who is celebrating 50 years as a visual artist.
Freeway will mount a fashion show for its latest collection #FreewayxBenCab on June 9 at at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The event will be part of the artist’s 50th anniversary retrospective.
BenCab’s famous muse “Sabel” will be highlighted in the show. A total of 50 items will be flaunted in the runway featuring different interpretations of the artist’s favorite subject.
The collection varies from casual to semiformal attires. It features woven fabrics, georgettes, knits, silhouettes and dressy tops. These items are designed mainly for women and lovers of Filipino art.
After the fashion show, the exhibit “BenCab in Multiples: A Print Retrospective” will be opened.
The exhibition showcases different works of BenCab from private collectors, the CCP, and the National Artist’s personal collection. It will be at Bulwagang Juan Luna of CCP.
Aside from the fashion show and the exhibit, the winners of Freeway’s Art Bag Design Contest will be awarded.
Fashion show will be hosted by Tessa Prieto Valdes and Tim Yap.
According to Freeway, the fashion brand continues to revolutionize “fashionalism.”
The National Artists Collector’s Series was introduced in 2009, featuring National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. That year, it also paid tribute to National Artist for the Visual Arts Ang Kiukok.
Other National Artists who have become part of the collection are National Artists Ramon Valera (Fashion); F. Sionil Jose (Literature); Lucio D. San Pedro (Music); Bienvenido Lumbera (Literature); Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (Visual Arts).
The #FreewayxBenCab collection will be available at all Freeway and The Row branches nationwide.