Weaving the Future, Design Competion.

MERGING TRUE TALENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE PHILIPPINE FASHION DESIGN COMPETITION

Honing talents and strengthening the foundation of Philippine fashion – this is the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Since 1998, the FDCP has produced the Philippine Fashion Design Competition (PFDC) aimed at grooming and mentoring budding talents in preparation for various design competitions all over the world. This year, the FDCP proudly introduces the latest edition of the PFDC entitled “Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition”.

This edition of the PFDC aims to link pure talent and social relevance that in the end not only produces new talent but also benefits different communities in the country.

With social relevance in mind, renowned designer and FDCP President JC Buendia shares “This competition aims to provide sustainable livelihood for regional communities through design and development of products made from indigenous weaves, materials and crafts.” He continues that through this kind of fete “we wish to raise awareness on the various rich indigenous materials that the Philippines can offer, placing the country on the fashion map all over the world.”

Each aspiring applicant is tasked to conceptualize a collection of apparel and accessories (fashion and home décor) using only 100% organic materials. Their designs will be then put together by a selected community specializing in the crafts or manufacture of the indigenous weaves and materials. This partnership between the designer and the community is envisioned to be a sustainable endeavor that can revitalize regional economies even beyond the competition.

The FDCP has continued to flourish through the incomparable talent and support of its current members: Edwin Ao, Ivarluski Aseron, PJ Aranador, Avel Bacudio, Vittorio Barba, JC Buendia, Joey Enriquez, Ramon Esteban, Arcy Gayatin, Len Nepomuceno-Guiao, Oj Hofer, Gerry Katigbak, Rajo Laurel, Jojie Lloren, Anthony Nocom, Tippi Ocampo, Dong Omaga-Diaz, Randy Ortiz, Frederick Peralta, Joey Samson, Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Jerome Ang, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Joel Escober, Gerry Sunga , Cary Santiago and as well as their Advisory Board Members: Lulu Tan Gan, Josie Natori and Cesar Gaupo.

Sharing in the vision of the FDCP are celebrity ambassadors Kris Aquino, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Mons Romulo, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Dingdong Dantes.





Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition is presented by FDCP together with PAGCOR, in cooperation with benchPINOYlab, with SM and The School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) and powered by PLDTmyDSL & SMART.

Interested applicants may send their complete and filled-out PFDC Application Form with a scanned copy of all required materials to weavingthefuture@gmail.com on or before August 1, 2011. Application Forms and Guidelines are available at www.pldtwatchpad.com and may be requested through mobile number +63949-688-5230.

Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition Mechanics

• The Philippine Fashion Design Council has two divisions: Apparel and Accessories (fashion and home décor). For Apparel, applicants must submit three (3) design entries each consisting of a 3-5 pieces collection for the modern day man or woman while Accessories Division applicants must submit three (3) one-piece design entries for home or fashion all true to the theme “Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition”

• A Developmental Business Plan must be submitted along with the design entries for the judges to gauge the social impact of the applicant’s entry. The plan consists of the following:
o PEOPLE: Who and how many will benefit?
o PLANET: What are the organic materials?
o PROFIT: How much profit can be expected?
o POSITIVE INFLUENCE: What is the overall impact you hope to achieve with your plan?

• Applications will be screened according to the following criteria: Originality and excellence in interpreting the theme “Weaving the Future” (35%); Marketability (20%); Execution and workmanship (20%) and Social Impact (25%)

• Finally, entries will be trimmed down to the top 20 finalists, hailing 10 best entries for each division.

• Each finalist will then be paired with a Social Entrepreneur, a Livelihood Officer and Community Representative that will ensure that the Business Development plan can be executed. Finalists will be enrolled in an extensive mentoring program headed by FDCP’s own Dong Omaga-Diaz and Jojie Lloren. The School of Fashion and the Arts will also facilitate a customized training module for all finalists during the Mentoring Phase of the competition.

• At the end of the competition, 2 winners shall be recognized – one from Apparel and one from Accessories. Winners will be awarded a two (2)-year scholarship for Fashion & Marketing from The School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA), P200,000 from SM as capital to further their design endeavor to a proper business platform with their livelihood-based community, cash grant from local government units and 6 months subscription to PLDT WatchPad.

• Winners will be announced during the Finals Night, to be held at PAGCOR Grand Theater in November 22, 2011.

At the Press launch, FDCP members and ambassadors graced the event with full support to "WEAVING THE FUTURE" Competition.





The three ambassadors with designer Joel Escober.



Hosted by Rajo Laurel.