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Soon, another aspiring Filipino designer will be thrust into the super highway of Philippine Fashion.

On March 24, 2009, Tuesday, 7pm, the Awards Night of the will take place at the grand Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. This year, eight budding talents will enjoy the limelight via a spectacular runway show directed by Jackie C. Aquino. Amplifying posh and elegance, the strictly-by-invitation event has adopted a black-and-white theme and urges guests to don local couture.

This year’s eight finalists- Mique Yapching, Vanessa Ang, Earl Gariando, JC Sasoy, Kathleen Conde, Brandy Parrenas, Karlo Vicente and Maricar Dizon – have been working day in and day out in order to turn their individual designs into runway-worthy attire that emulate this year’s theme, “Cultural Transformation”— an interpretation of cultural harmony approached with an urban point of view and an intellectual execution of clothing construction to produce a coordinated collection of modern multiplicity.

LIGHT, SILK FABRICS give form to Vanessa Ang’s collection “Transparency”

FLEXIBLE IN FORM and function, the malong fabric best illustrates Karlo Vicente’s vision of Cultural Transformation

LUSTROUS ABACA SILK helps bring to life JC Sasoy’s vision of eastern cultures united in fashion

HIGH AND LOW cultures come together in elegant but deconstructed pieces in Brandy Parrenas’ “Fashioning Out the Gap”

HISTORY PLAYS ITS part in Earl Gariando’s collection, which draws inspiration from a traditional garment known as the Panuelo

COLORFUL, LACE-LIKE CREATIONS is Maricar Dizon’s way of reviving the art of Pabalat and showcasing Filipino fine craftsmanship

BARONG BEARING ICONS of Philippine heroism dominates Kathleen Conde’s collection

ART BECOMES FASHION as Mique Yapching patterns his collection after the works of celebrated Filipino painter Vincent Manansala

While the competition has proven tough and heavy, there is a sense of real comradeship between the eight budding designers. During a recent pictorial at the MEGA Studio, they were able to sit back, relax, and loosen up for the camera. It was a time for learning as well, as past YDC winners Aries Lagat and Alex Pigao, and 2002 contender Ivarluski Aseron, dropped by to share some words of wisdom and amusing anecdotes. All three designers, now respected names in the industry, also offered encouragement and moral support. The pictorial was covered by GMA-QTV 11 as part of a special documentary that recognizes the YDC’s contributions to the world of Philippine fashion, most especially for supporting local designers and helping jumpstart their careers.

As with previous editions, the finalists will be judged by a panel comprised of the most distinguished fashion figures. For the very first YDC, held in 1994, fashion editors from Vogue Paris, Harper’s Bazaar, Details and Visionaire magazines were flown in to co-judge alongside prominent local designers. This year, the finalists will have to impress YDC alumni Rajo Laurel, Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Mich Dulce, along with Pigao and Aseron.

Pre-judging of the collections will be held on March 20. The panel will grade the creations based on Creativity and Design, Wearability, Resourcefulness and Craftsmanship, as well as an Interview during which each finalist will be asked to explain his collection. Pre-judging will comprise 90% of their overall score, with the remaining 10% allotted for the runway show.

YDC has lined up an impressive array of prizes for the grand winner, including a fashion spread in MEGA magazine and a jaw-dropping P100,000! The winner will also receive a trophy by sculptor Mulawin Abueva, son of renowned National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Already, the biggest fashion event of 2009 is sporting a guest list filled with fashion and society elites. MEGA Publishing Group will be in full force, with MEGA Publishing Group President Sari Yap and the magazine’s editor-in-chief Carla Sibal among the noteworthy guests.

Sponsors this year include EDSA Shangri-La Manila, L’Oreal Paris, L’Oreal Professionnel, Skin Food, Carolina’s, Neo Day Spa and MEGA’s TV partner, GMA-QTV11. Log on to www.mega-magazine.com for more details.

The participants of the Eighth Young Designer’s Competition have never been more excited. With the awards night happening on March 24 at Edsa Shangri-La, the finalists are up and about, eagerly making their designs come to life.

Last February 2, the eight finalists headed to Carolina’s in Megamall to shop and look around for the best garments and accessories that they can use for their designs.

The finalists also had their first ever photoshoot last February 16 held at the Mega Publishing Group Studio. Past YDC winners and now notable fashion icons Aries Lagat, Ivarluski Aseron and Alex Pigao were also present to give advice to the finalists.

The black-and-white themed photoshoot was the buzz during that day, and each finalist had the chance to express his or her own individuality. This was one of the few instances that the finalists were given a chance to build camaraderie amidst the tough competition and just have pure fun.

All guards were down as the finalists, with great enjoyment, posed and showed off their personal styles. They also received inspiring (and useful) tips from Aries, who recently won the first local edition of Project Runway, and Alex.

Of course, the day did not end without getting to know the finalists and finding out how their YDC experience has been like so far.

Vanessa Ang, who attended the Parson’s School of Design in New York, said, “The YDC is a great opportunity to share ideas and, of course, meet new people. I’ve also learned design practices that are integral to making a truly great collection.”

Another finalist, Kathleen Conde, said she has “become more meticulous with her designs and executions. Being in the YDC has brought out the perfectionist in me.”

“The themes presented in this competition are of international level,” yet another finalist, Earl Gariando, shared. “There’s a call to create something unconventional yet wearable. Therein lies one of the challenges.”

Here some exclusive behind-the-scenes during the photoshoot.
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