MODA MINDANAW 2013

 

Last Sunday, 36 young and dynamic designers gathered at SM City Davao for a design competition and extravaganza on street wear, evening wear and men’s wear. For 6 years, Moda Mindanaw has become a platform for up and coming fashion designers from all Mindanao to exhibit their unique creations.

In celebration of Davao’s diverse culture, designers took fashion inspiration from the local tribes namely the Ata Manobo, Bagobo Tagabawa, Ubo Manobo, Matigsalog, K’lata, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausog, Sama, and Kalagan.

 

 

Oca Casaysay, committee head for Moda Mindanaw, shared, “This year's event highlights the different colors and patterns from each tribe. With the designers’ interaction with the different tribes, they are expected to come up with creations that reflect the culture of the tribal group assigned to them.”

 

 

 

In Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s welcome speech, read by City Administrator, lawyer Jhopee Avancena-Agustin, he shared his pride and delight in how the annual cultural event has evolved through the years. “Moda Mindanaw has indeed gone far. It has evolved from promoting the region’s indigenous materials to showcasing Mindanao’s hand-woven textiles and various fibers. And more than all these, Moda Mindanaw has become a stage for young and vibrant designers to showcase their craft. The show features what’s hip while preserving the Mindanao identity in the process. It is always refreshing to see new concepts and ideas from young designers as it shows their individuality, and yet their creations still exude that Mindanao originality and uniqueness.”

 

 

 

Roan Aguilar’s Tausog-inspired creation won in the Evening Wear category, while Aries Buevenida’s Maranao-inspired won in the Streetwear category. The prize for Men’s Wear went to the Tausug-inspired tunic by Manny Deiparini. The Maranao-inspired accessories of Pie Tiambeng won in the Project Accessories category.

 

 

This year's event also paid tribute to one of Davao's fast-rising and multi-talented designers, Edgar Buyan. Also performing on stage were folk singer Bayang Barrios and the Kaliwat Performing Arts Ensemble.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 113, 21 August 2013.