The highly anticipated VegFest Runway brought an exciting wave of sustainable and ethical fashion. The VegFest 2024 brings back the fashion show despite the looming threat of tropical storm Man-Yi. This year’s fashion show presents a unique blend of creativity and sustainability building from last year’s success. To show attendees that fashion can be both stylish and environmentally friendly.
VegFest Pilipinas collaborates again with Fashion Revolution Philippines to showcase a powerful platform. A platform to stage three renowned fashion designers and a celebrity stylist. They will show the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycled practice or the 3Rs. Where it can be implemented in the fashion district. The first day of the festival kicks off with a celebration of innovative designs. Designs that are crafted from recycled and repurposed materials.
Simply Trashion presented a transformative collection to showcase the potential of trash. “This collection is a transformation of various recyclable materials. It includes empty plastic wrappers, shredded rice sacks, and repurposed fabrics,” as it’s highlighted. A demonstration of how discarded materials can be given a new life.
Leby Le Moría presented a collection as a testament to personal growth and vulnerability. “Each piece is a thought that defends its reasons to exist; these pieces are stories of my journey,” she explained. She wants to highlight the humanism and creativity woven into her designs.
The island wear fashion designer Twinkle Ferraren showcased a collection inspired by art, dreams, and the tropics. With a strong emphasis on sustainable practices, ethically and ethnically sourced. Ferraren collaborated with artisans and indigenous tribes across the Philippines to create these unique textiles and accessories.
Author and Celebrity stylist Miss Kayce took a unique approach. She focused on reducing over consumption. Her “Vegan Statement Collection” aimed to inspire positive change through bold expression. A first time to see on the public eye a collection from a celebrity stylist. A collection to encourage attendees to creatively use clothing from their existing wardrobes. Working with volunteers to model a conscious wardrobe. Where the volunteers’ wardrobe can be both stylish and aligned with their vegan principles.
The next day, the stage was set for the SoFA Design Institute students. The students are challenged to showcase their creativity on upcycled street wear. Barrios Studios provided the students with textile scraps. A challenge for them to create innovative designs in sustainable fashion.
The students are faced with three distinguished judges. The judges were Prince Ventura of Wear Forward, Buena Sawit of Barrios Studios, and celebrity stylist Miss Kayce. They assessed the students’ street wear collections in three categories. The audience also took part in voting for their favorite designs as the People’s Choice Award.
Here are the winners:
Best in Upcycled Street Wear Construction: Rod Bulong
Most Innovative Upcycled Street Wear: Mary Grace Zhang and Summer Villaluz
People’s Choice Award: Precious Gem Andaya, Janine Tintero, and Gabrielle Demecillo
Best Upcycled Street Wear Collection:
SoFA’s Section C – Bea Camacho, Mary Grace Zhang, Janella Ramoran, Nicole Cassandra Go, Marinelle Balog-ang, Isabel Lauren Celi, Joan Danielle Ruth Dy, Janine Dapitan, Rod Bulong, Summer Villaluz, and Chelsea Forsyth
The VegFest Runway 2024 served as a powerful reminder to embrace sustainability and it doesn’t have to compromise style. This event showcased the incredible talents of Filipinos. Both from the designers and students while promoting environmentally conscious practices. A practice that saves the environment and all animals within the fashion world. Through creativity, innovation, and a commitment to the 3Rs. VegFest 2024 demonstrated that a more sustainable future is within reach. One style and one garment at a time.
