The pioneering fashion event also debuts PHx Station, a new retail concept for contemporary Filipino designers
The PHx Fashion group, helmed by contemporary fashion designers Esme Palaganas and Seph Bagasao and supported by Trickie Lopa, announces the return of the PHx Fashion Conference, a designer-led initiative that inspires and assists fledgling Filipino brands to set up their operations to a global standard.
Happening from November 17 to 19 at the Ayala Museum in Makati, the event will gather resource speakers, mentors, and lecturers to discuss the creative and business aspects of fashion. First held in 2019, the PHx Fashion Conference aims to foster innovation, mentorship, and industry collaboration to help broaden the horizons of Filipino fashion designers working on their labels.
Paris-based Filipino-British designer Norman René De Vera will open the conference. A product of the London College of Fashion, De Vera has previously worked with Celine, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Versace, and Calvin Klein. He is currently the design and image director for French legacy brand AZ Factory, previously led by the late Alber Elbaz, the longtime creative director of Lanvin.
Conducting the principal portions of PHx Fashion Conference 2023 is TFC Press founder Philippe Terrien and his wife, former fashion editor, Giselle Go. TFC Press is a full-service PR agency that has collaborated with some of the most influential names in fashion, design and art, beauty, and lifestyle including Dries Van Noten, Aesop, Carven, Emilio Pucci, and Courrèges. For the conference, selected participants will get a chance to have their portfolios reviewed by TFC Press.
The PHx Fashion Group also introduces PHx Station, a three-month market activity that will feature several Filipino contemporary fashion brands throughout a three-month run from October 2023 to January 2024. A batch of designers per month will take over the pop-up at Greenbelt 5 in Makati City to showcase their labels.
“These designers are also artists that express themselves through clothes. Something just connects whenever I see their designs—I can buy into their vision,” adds Lopa about what excites her about contemporary Filipino fashion designers. “It’s important for us to see that these designers speak or stand up for something.”
Participating Filipino brands and designers include Alexie Nethercott, Aire, Apara, Bagasáo, HaMu, Idyllic Summers, Jerome Lorico, Jill Lao, Jude Macasinag, IMMA Universe, Kelvin Morales, Le Ngok, Liliana Manahan, Neil Felipp, Nicolo, Novel, Randolf, and Renz Reyes, among others.
Selected fashion students from the College of St. Benilde, iAcademy, and SoFA will have the opportunity to present their collections at each batch of PHx Station. This provides chosen students with practical and valuable real-world market experience.
“A common denominator that these brands and designers have is their authenticity. More than just beautiful designs, we gravitate toward those who showcase their genuine creative vision,” says Bagasao.
“There are so many stories to be told aside from the craftsmanship and talent of these designers. With these new collections, we’re looking forward to more people appreciating the storytelling that these designers offer through their designs,” concludes Palaganas.
Early registration for PHx Fashion Conference 2023 is now open on their official website. Stay updated with the latest news, speaker announcements, and PHx Station highlights by following them on Instagram and Facebook.
