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ARTICLE SERVICES   Print this article      Reprint this article     Send as an e-mail     Feedback   RELATED STORIES 30 minutes of nonstop laughter Star French TV anchor pushed out after 21 years -- reports The King and I GALLERY 1 2 3 4 Next   Zoom    Read Full Story FINALISTS and winners of this year’s Animax Fashion-Ability fashion design competition Zoom    Read Full Story BRANDON Parrenas’ winning design Zoom    Read Full Story BRANDON Parrenas expected to win—“But not the grand prize.” Zoom    Read Full Story GLAMOROUS gold dress by Liao Advertisement OTHER STORIES The fashionable finale 'Cosplay' queen How to be a standout cosplayer ARTICLE SERVICES    Sponsored by: INQUIRER   Print this article      Reprint this article     Send as an e-mail     Feedback

MANILA, Philippines—After grueling months of passionate sketching, sewing and stitching, the country’s most promising young designers were finally able to show to the public their couture creations via the Animax Fashion-Ability grand finale held on April at TriNoma Mall.

After a very successful first run last 2006, the youth cable channel’s search for the country’s next batch of fierce fashion designers returned for another exciting round.

This year, the inspiration for the contest was the Animax series “Le Chevalier D’Eon,” a historical animé set in 18th-century Paris.

The contest attracted close to 400 entries, double the number of last year’s tilt. Each entry attempted to showcase the charm of period France while still being wearable by today’s teenager.

During the finale, however, only the Top 20 best designers were able to flaunt their designs on the catwalk.

Jumpstarting the exciting event was a series of musical performances by rock band Imago, hot new R&B artist Kenjohns together with the All Stars dance group, and crowd favorite Pupil.
The audience was also treated to a very special preview of the summer collection of iconic brand Levi’s.

Five celeb judges chose this year’s top three winning designs: fashion designer Edwin Tan, fashion photographer David Fabros, Sky Cable’s Juno Chuidian, Belo Essentials’ Cristalle Henares, Philippines’ Next Top Model winner Grendel Alvarado and last year’s winner Jerome Lorico.

After the fabulous fashion show that featured all 20 designs—from a corset partnered with a lacy bolero to a fun and flirty modern-style French socialite’s party dress—the winners were finally announced.

Third placer Ryan Laborte might have had a hard time looking for people to help him expertly sew his dress and even had to shell out a large amount of money just to complete his creation. But it was all worth it since he ended up being part of the Top 3, taking home an Animax education grant worth $500.

Second placer Aislynn Liao was also very excited about the recognition and her $1,000 that would help her further advance her knowledge in fashion design.

The grand prize winner, Brandon Parrenas, a 20-year-old fashion design student at the Cora Doloroso Career Center, wowed the judges and won first place with his charming blue and pink Li’l Bo Peep number, which had a detachable cape that could be converted into a skirt.

Brandy, as Parrenas is known to family and friends, won an education grant worth $2,000.
While all contestants were given sufficient budgets to execute their dresses, Brandy had to spend more for transportation, food and accessories. He also didn’t feel much support from those around him, lamenting his friends were too busy to attend the event to show moral support and his family seemed more concerned about the prize.

In the end, though, a few of the important people in Brandy’s life did show up.

“My mom and sis went even if I told them not to go anymore,” he said. “They witnessed my winning moment, something I worked on all by myself. I just love making my family proud.”

When asked whether he expected to win, Brandy said yes. “But not the grand prize,” he quickly added.
“I was merely expecting to get a runner-up slot because there were other powerful, competent and deserving dresses apart from mine.”

It didn’t take long for the wonderful reality to sink in.
“I was shocked, but after a while, I realized that I deserved to win,” said Brandy, who thought his dress won because it was a colorful and lively piece that stood out in the crowd.

Animax Fashion-Ability is part of the youth channel’s commitment to showcase the diverse interests of young people and create opportunities to engage them.

Visit www.hackenslash.net/ fashion-ability.

E-mail the author at ninomarksablan@yahoo.com