It’s always refreshing to see fresh, innovative talent, especially in fashion. AirAsia’s 2017 Runway Ready grand finale brought yet another unique experience for aspiring designers from 10 Asean countries.
The show’s winner, Tran Thi Tu from Vietnam, bagged a chance to have her capsule collection produced and eventually sold on FashionValet, on top of a confirmed slot to showcase in next year’s Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week.
After her win, she talked about her struggle to source her materials so she could whip up her intricate, ceramics-inspired collection. She also revealed that it was her first time to fly to a foreign destination, so this was truly an experience for her.
The Philippines was represented by Esme Palaganas of College of St. Benilde and Jerome Tayao of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines.
Competition proper
The selected designers were challenged to bring their ideas to life in the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready to Wear 2017 runway at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Each country was represented by two finalists who were preselected in rigorous sessions in their hometowns—guided by the founder of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready To Wear Andrew Tan.
The search kicked off in Manila in April before moving to Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Jakarta, Bangkok and Vientiane, and winding up in Phnom Penh in June.
“The growth of AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search from five countries last year to 10 countries this year will be instrumental in paving the way for Kuala Lumpur to be the fashion hub of Asean in the near future,” Tan said.
“It’s a future made possible with the strength of the collaboration between AirAsia and Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week,” he added.
The 20 contestants crafted ensembles, exchanged notes and ideas with one another. This opened the door for Asean countries to test their creativity in a nerve-wracking yet friendly competition, helped along by Air Asia the past three years. –CONTRIBUTED
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