MANILA, Philippines — The local modeling search Catwalk Philippines has returned for its third edition this year, incorporated in the revived Manila International Fashion Week (MIFW) taking place this month.
Both the contest and the fashion week took a “pandemic pause” as the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 made it impossible to mount week-long events because of the various restrictions, as well as the risk of infection posed by big gatherings in enclosed spaces.
For Catwalk Philippines’ 2022 edition, 19 pairs of male and female model aspirants are competing, Johnny Abad of the Designers Circle Philippines (DCP) said at a recent press conference held at the glass ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City.
Designer Dave Ocampo, also from DCP, revealed that the winners of this year’s competition will represent the country in the inaugural edition of Catwalk International, that his group will mount in the Philippines in 2023. “About 30 countries have already signified their intention to send delegates,” he shared.
Aside from earning their ticket to the international competition next year, the male and female winners of Catwalk Philippines will also receive P50,000 each, professional modeling opportunities, and gifts from the contest’s sponsors.
Abad stressed that, as in the contest’s previous editions, “discipline” plays an integral part in an aspirant’s chances of winning the title. “We will hone them to be professionals,” he explained.
But a participant need not win the contest to earn quick bucks and pad their portfolios with professional modeling experience. All the 38 aspirants are given the chance to walk for the shows mounted by the 70 designers and labels participating in MIFW.
Aside from the Catwalk Philippines contestants, a pool of fresh talents collectively under the “Young Faces to Watch” group were also made available for the MIFW participants for their fashion showcases.
MIFW shows and exhibits have been staged at SM Novaliches in Quezon City and at the Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City.
Another highlight of the 2022 MIFW is the maiden edition of the Manila Fashion Film Competition, where fashion filmmakers from around the world are expected to showcase films about fashion brands, fashion short films, and fashion documentaries.
Proceeds from the MIFW shows, including the final round of competition for Catwalk Philippines, will be for the benefit of FAME Foundation, which supports DCP members hardly hit by the slump in the fashion industry because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grand event, which incorporates the final stage of competition for Catwalk Philippines, will be at Okada Manila on Oct. 28. Visit https://manilaifw.com for information on how to secure tickets. EDV
