As the world’s modern Spartans gather in London this month for the opening of the London Olympics, Look magazine, Inquirer Lifestyle and the British Council launch another kind of Olympiad — this time, for young Filipino designers.
An all-expenses paid trip to the United Kingdom, an opportunity to enroll in London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins, business mentoring from fashion industry professionals, and a spot in Inquirer Lifestyle’s next Face-Off Fashion Show. These are among the prizes off for grabs on the third year of Look of Style Awards, organized to support the next generation of Filipino fashion designers and help them pursue their design and business plans.
“The Look of Style Awards is a way for us to collaborate with artists from the Philippines and the UK using an area we are both strong at — fashion,” Ana Tan, program and public relations manager of the British Council of the Philippines, says in a statement.
“It’s hard to convey just how excited we are with our partnership with the British Council. They believed in the Look of Style Awards since its inception,” adds Stef Cabal, Look magazine editor-in-chief. “Supporting the next generation of Filipino designers is essential for us as we aim to strengthen the Philippine fashion industry.”
According to Amanda Burrell, British Council Philippines director, “Each year, the contest is getting more sophisticated, interesting, and in a way more complex as we bring more people together and give a chance to new designers who want connections.”
She explains that this year’s theme is “Eco Chic” to promote sustainable fashion. “We chose a sustainable theme because it has been recognized in catwalks all over the world,” she points out. “We’re looking at defining what sustainable fashion is. We’re looking at more collaborations, sharing what’s unique in the Philippines and strengthening its relationship with the United Kingdom through fashion.”
“We want to raise the profile of sustainable fashion,” adds Cabal. “With this year’s Look of Style Awards, participants are encouraged to create fashion while sustaining biodiversity. We are truly excited for the outcome of this competition, most especially to meet and discover young fashion visionaries.”
Winning the contest is “life changing,” attest past winners Pablo Cabahug and Geof Gonzales.
“I’ll be forever grateful. The publicities I got opened doors for me. I got a lot of clients and was able to expand my uniform line,” Cabahug shares.
“Winning it is heavyweight since it’s from the British Council,” adds Gonzales.
Studying in Central Saint Martins, says Geof, enabled him to learn a lot about Britons, their culture and passion for their craft.
“I was very delighted to meet the people. They’re very alive, even in the way they dress up. Their love of clothes is not a fashion thing but a culture thing. They wear a certain hat or coat just because they feel like it. Imagination and creativity are very welcome. I hope we Filipinos also have that kind of perspective — encouraging to new ideas,” he ponders.
Look of Style, both winners say, are the first contest they ever joined and won. Both were also scared to join the contest at first. “I was scared because I’m not an avant garde designer,” confesses Pablo. “I’m afraid to be judged. I have this fear of rejection,” Geof admits.
But since the goal of Look of Style is to provide training, scholarship and to hone talents and not for fame and not publicly humiliating one’s work, Pablo was encouraged to join. The fact that the contest puts laurels on the heads of those who have not won contests before also adds to its credibility, he says. Other local design contests have been rumored to be “Lutong Macau” for favoring mostly students and alumni from a particular fashion school.
“Look of Style is a good platform for young designers to showcase their talent and craft because it’s not only for fame but also about prolonging your stay in the industry,” Pablo enthuses. “The contest’s themes really push the limits of the contestants.”
“Given a theme, there is a lot you can explore. The importance of creativity in our work is highlighted because of our win,” Geof elaborates. His tip for those aspiring to win the contest is to “play and explore more,” while Pablo advises “to strike the iron while it’s hot.”