Emerging fashion designers nationwide will compete for the LOOK of Style Awards 2014. The annual fashion design competition is organized by Inquirer Lifestyle, LOOK Magazine and the British Council. It’s been held for the past five years to support and nurture young design talents.

“The competition provides Filipino young designers a platform to showcase their work and to increase their capacity in fashion skills,” said British Council arts manager Monique Regalado. “There are a lot of talented young Filipino designers who may not have the opportunity for exposure around the Philippines, and more so globally, so this competition gives them the opportunity to do so.”

The nationwide search kicked off in Cebu last Aug. 22; Davao, Sept. 5; and Manila, Sept. 11. The candidates went through a rigorous selection process.

“I’m always encouraging young designers to join, especially the newbies,” said fashion designer Edgar Buyan, one of the panelists who presided over the go-see in Davao. “It’s a good

venue to upgrade their skills and learn more about how to represent themselves and their collection.”

For Davao-based designer Dodjie Batu, the LOOK contest opens the eyes of young designers to creative designs. With Buyan, Batu presided over the go-see in Davao. His advice to young designers joining LOOK: “Edit, edit, edit. Even if the piece is done, try to look at it again and edit some more.”

“The culture in Mindanao is so rich,” said Batu, “and there are a lot of resources you can tap into, fabrics and techniques you can incorporate into your apparel, and even accessories. Best to relearn from the past, from our heritage.”

Finalists

The finalists will be announced at the end of the month. There will be 10 finalists for apparel, and seven for accessories (bags, jewelry and shoe design). They will then meet a panel of fashion experts for prejudging on Nov. 11. The theme this year is “Maria Clara.”

The jury will include Inquirer Lifestyle’s Carmencita Sioson, Stef Cabal and Cheche Moral; SoFA’s Amina Aranaz-Alunan; designers JC Buendia and Lulu Tan Gan; personalities Kim Jones and Kai Lim; and jewelry designers Wynn Wynn Ong, Emi Jorge and Joyce Makitalo.

The winners will be announced on Nov. 12 at Buddha Bar in Makati, with a fashion show presenting the designers’ collection.

This year’s apparel and accessories winners will each receive an all-expense-paid educational fellowship with a university in the United Kingdom.

“Aside from the education, the designers can get a cultural experience or a cultural exchange, not just with the fashion course, but the whole environment, just by studying there. With the resources, facilities and meeting designers from all over the world, the whole experience in itself is worth it,” Regalado said.

Both winners will also be able to participate and present their work in an international fashion showcase during London Fashion Week.

Bag designer and Look of Style Awards judge Amina Aranaz-Alunan will give a special award to one of the finalists of the accessories category for a scholarship to the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA).

Previous winners of LOOK of Style Awards are Pablo Cabahug (2010), Geof Gonzalez (2011), Roland Alzate (2012), Rei Escario (2013 apparel) and Neil Felipp (2013 accessories).

The 2014 LOOK of Style Awards is presented in cooperation with Hana Shampoo, Champion Infinity, Fashion Is Great, and The London College of Contemporary Arts.

Follow Look of Style on Instagram using the hashtag #LOSA2014.