Fashion + Video Technology in 'Beyond Garments'

Photos by Frank Hoefsmit

Fashion savants always find themselves going beyond traditional borders, exploring the
vastness of art and experimenting on different media in search for the perfect inspiration
to feed their artistic vision.

The Young Designers Guild (YDG), the country's premier group of young designers,
found their inspiration in the creations of the most progressive videographers from France
as presented last October 12 at the Greenbelt Expo Exchange.

Entitled "Au dela du Vetement (Beyond Garments) Fashion Videos...Fashion Moments,"

the show was presented by Alliance Française de Manille, in cooperation with the
Association of Francaise d'Action Artistique (AFAA), YDG, and the Professional Models
Association of the Philippines (PMAP).

The brainchild of the whole creative presentation was Robby Carmona of SAGA events.
He artistically conceptualized a revolving circular stage and six projection screens that
gave the audience a feel of watching in an arena.

The event showcased five creative expressions from each of the 12 members of the YDG
as inspired by fashion videos made by international videographers and designers.

The presentation commenced with James Reyes' collection inspired by a 10-minute

fashion video of designer Martin Margiela. His creations highlighted the profession of a
mananahi (seamstress) by featuring familiar objects found in neighborhood dress shops.
His black and beige collection in twill and pique are actually slopers and patterns for
skirts, sleeves and blouses.

The young designers' creativity was put to test as some of them ventured into different
facets of art. Avel Bacudio, for example, explored the world of glam rock by combining
wool and denim with silk and satin in black and hot pink, perfect for the rich and famous.
His collection was derived from the work of videographer Stefan Nikolaev entitled
"Hand in Glove".

Ricky Vicencio, on the other hand, revealed his graphic sensibilities with garments
inspired by crayon colors, demonstrating a vibrant fusion of rigidness and softness. His
creation was adopted from Bernhard Willheim's fantasy video "Planetenwesen II".

Time has always been an element in fashion designers' creations. Designer Carlo Jequinto
drew his inspiration from the swashbuckling musketeers of the medieval times. Derived
from the fashion video "Autumn-Hiver" by Mike Sleecx, Carlo used wool, leather and
faux fur in maroon, red and bone colors to create a collection both romantic and action-
packed.
Meanwhile, designer and PMAP President Mel Vergel de Dios went back to the time of
Art Deco to come up with a collection inspired by sculptures and architecture of that era.
His bold, bright colored collection featured short dresses with geometric lines and curves
in Thai silk, tulle and silk chiffon.

Other designers delved into nudity, modern romanticism, revelation, melancholy, and
nature to relive the designers' world portrayed in the videos.

The videographers who graced the fashion show were Martin Margiela, Gilles Rosier,
Stefan Nikolaev, Berhard Willhelm, Marcus Tomlinson, Augustin Gimel, Yann Toma,
Nicolas Trembley, Mike Sleecx, Ellen Nolan, and Anke Loh. Members of the YDG in
attendance included James Reyes, Joey Samson, Ivarluski Aseron, Avel Bacudio, Ricky
Vicencio, Yvonne Quisumbing, Mel Vergel de Dios, Dennis Lustico, Robi Lolin, Carlo
Jequinto, Dong Omaga-Diaz, and Jesus Lloren. The accessories were provided by French
jewelry designer, Muriel Biraghi.

This exhibit on contemporary fashion videos has been showcased in various cities
throughout the world. Alliance Française collaborated with organizations of models and
designers to bring this rare fusion of art and fashion into the local scene.

Beyond Garments will continue its exhibition run at the Jorge B. Vargas Museum, Roxas
Avenue, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City until November 19, 2004. An open forum with
students from various fashion schools will be held on November 18, 2004 at 1 p.m. The
forum will be attended by renowned personalities in the fashion world.

Those who missed the show can also catch the exhibit at the Alliançe Total Gallery at 209
Nicanor Garcia St., Bel Air II, Makati City up to November 30. -- Mira Kaye Gloria

Gloria, Mira Kaye. (November 2, 2004). Fashion + Video Technology in 'Beyond

Garments'. Retrieved July 26, 2005 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.herword.com/fashion/ydg11.02.04.html