LOCAL FASHION GOES GLOBAL AT ALASKA FASHION WEEK




Alaska Fashion Week may not have rung a bell to some of us, but it is definitely a cause for celebration for our local fashion industry. This year’s International Edition of Alaska Fashion Week welcomed designers from Latin America, Europe, USA and Asia. Opening the week-long event is none other than our own Filipino designers who proudly represented the Asia.  With our locale being an exciting tropical travel destination, the group took inspiration from festival, resort, and cruise themes to embody the style that is truly Asia.

 

by Emi Englis
Photographer: Tina Marie

Camille Liwanag of the "My Binondo Girl" fame tweaked her aesthetics with festival costumes translated into "Fun in the Philippines" cross-over wear for the night's starter. 

Junnie Artajo

Coming all the way from Davao City, Japan Design winner Junnie Artajo celebrates Asian-bound motif for his strictly resort wear spread including batik-dyed pieces. Junnie, who’s better known for his use of indigenous and eco-friendly materials, adds a playful twist to his aesthetics with dynamic and geometric patterns, folding, and draping.

 

by Junnie Artajo
Photographer: Paul Borromeo

by Junnie Artajo
Photographer: Paul Borromeo

Joining Junnie from Davao is Paris Concours finalist Emi Englis. For this collection, he expanded his T-shirt collection to offer a diverse range of luxe lounge wear perfect for evening affairs. Hand-woven scarves also added dimension to his collection. His daring line of haute couture focused on somber palettes and sensual touches, with their design and cut deviating from the usual mold-to-the-body approach… It’s seductive without even trying.

Emi Englis

The Alaska Fashion Week was held at the Dena’ina Civic Center from June 27-30, 2013. There were 4 nights of over the top wardrobe creations from prestigious International Designers with skillfully wrought set design and performances featuring different themes each night. Their goal is to promote these designers’ creations to Alaskan clientele in high profile settings.

by Emi Englis
Photographer: Paul Borromeo

 

by Emi Englis
Photographer: Paul Borromeo

 

The people behind Alaska Fashion Week have a long history in the fashion scene in Anchorage. This strong force included boutique owners, salon owners, hospitality, promotion companies and more. They believe Alaska has great fashion elements and potential. The objective of this foundation is to provide an amazing opportunity for all fashion enthusiasts to display their talents and take it to the next level --- and eventually, for the greatly unique ones, to go global.

---

Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 123, 04 September 2013.