KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—As awards were handed out one after the other during the gala night of Malaysia Fashion Week (MFW) on November 25 (Exhibition of the Year 2018 to Sabah, Best Malaysian Designer to Adamaya, Best Accessories Designer to Illiza Ho of Taiwan, Most Promising International Designer of the Year 2018 to Tasmiah of China), excitement ran high at the White Box of Publika Shopping Gallery.
When the special awards from the event cofounder were given out (Professor Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo Award Malaysian Designer: Adamaya and Professor Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo Award International Designers: Sarene Fu of Taiwan and Sayee of Indonesia), Dong Omaga-Diaz sat composed, though inwardly tense, in the front row.
Then the all-important “Best Showcase of the Year” was up, and the Philippines was called. Omaga-Diaz, head of the Filipino contingent of designers, smiled from ear to ear and received the award. The distinction is for a group that consistently showed polished, beautifully crafted and widely applauded designs.
“All designers from the Philippines must come forward because this is a country award,” the host announced. Waving Philippine flags like they did during their curtain calls, the beaming designers joined Omaga-Diaz onstage in a proud moment of solidarity.
“My primary task for Malaysia/Mercedes-Benz Stylo Asia Fashion Week is to find able and capable designers to represent the country. In my sixth year as country head, I chose to open the doors to designers from all over the archipelago. My search wasn’t easy. It took a while before the final lineup was completed,” said Omaga-Diaz, a former president of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
He eventually selected Len Nepomuceno-Mortel, an FDCP designer based in Bangkok, to represent overseas Filipino designers; Randolph Keith Jinky Petalcorin from Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, Dodjie Batu from Davao City, Jor-el Espina and Jet Salcedo from Iloilo City, and Batangas’s Adante Leyesa, an accessories designer and new FDCP member.
“I have learned that participating in international shows is triple the hard work, and to never lose hope, and to always continue to learn and grow. Fashion is never-ending learning. There is always something new. You have to be open to new ideas and recognize the creativity of new and young designers,” said Nepomuceno-Mortel, a favorite among expats and diplomats for her chic aesthetic. “Fashion means diversity. Different people, different designers, different cultures, different tastes. Living in Thailand and participating in international shows opened my mind to accept and embrace all these.”
Salcedo was at a low point in his personal life but traveling to Kuala Lumpur lifted his morale. “Being part of the winning team is a massive breakthrough in my career as a designer because it’s on an international platform. It may bring in added pressure from now on because people will expect more from me but I will strive to maintain this level of excellence in my craft,” the fast-rising edgy Ilonggo designer said.
Batu is the lone menswear designer from the all-womenswear lineup. “Every time I hear my name called as an ‘International Fashion Designer’ in an event such as MFW gives me honor and pride. It’s because I am not only showing my designs to a different market but it also gives me a chance to represent my country, which I am most proud of,” said the past president of the Davao Fashion and Design Council.
Espina played on his strength as a postmodern Filipiniana designer while Petalcorin cornered the luxe market. The designers also sold their wares in pop-up stores at the mall adjacent to the runway-shows venue.
Leyesa, no stranger to design competitions, still felt the tension: “It was nerve-wracking. Not to mention the cost, but also the logistics, tasks and activities that you have to do on your own—away from the comfort of your own studio surrounded by your own staff. Becoming familiar with the new place is another story, even looking for a store to buy pins becomes a very big challenge. Other than these, everything is exciting: standing in front of an unfamiliar crowd, impressing onlookers and sharing my stories, meeting potential international business clients and winning new friends from a foreign land. Every international show always brings a new and different experience, and a fresh perspective.”
Overall, despite the overwhelming odds against designers from the host country, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia, Omaga-Diaz is grateful for the great showing of the hardworking Pinoy designers: “This award goes to each and every member of the Philippine contingent who, from their collective efforts, made an unforgettable showing in Malaysia. Our many thanks to all those who supported us, to all those who believe in what the Filipino can achieve. Maraming salamat po!”
Next year will be a bigger challenge, as Omaga-Diaz hopes to bring 10 designers to “defend our crown” amid a new “battleground”: the shows will be held in the vicinity of the imposing Petronas Towers.
“I’m excited to discover and bring promising designers to Malaysia in 2019,” he shared. “But for now, let me tell this year’s winning designers: You have my respect and my admiration. With or without this award, I will continue to admire all of you because you showed love and dedication not only to fashion but also to our nation, which you have represented so well!”
