Photo courtesy of PhX Conference
Through PHX Conference 2023’s series of creative talks, panel discussions, and workshops, aspiring Filipino designers and entrepreneurs can learn about the art and business of fashion.
From Kenneth Cobonpue’s workshop in Cebu to the artist haven in La Union, Filipino creatives, designers, and artisans have been mastering their craft and learning from experienced mentors. Now, the same opportunity awaits Filipino designers and entrepreneurs in Metro Manila. In partnership with Ayala Malls through its Bravo Filipino initiative, GCash, and with support from the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Ayala Museum, and Seda, the PHx Fashion Group brings to you the PHx Fashion Conference 2023.
Conceptualized and led by fashion entrepreneurs Esme Palaganas and Seph Bagasao, along with the support of Art Fair Philippines co-founder Trickie Lopa, the initiative provides a platform for aspiring Filipino designers to learn first-hand from the best in the fashion industry. Since its launch in 2019, the conference has inspired up-and-coming fashion labels and designers to make waves beyond the Philippine seas.
This year, the PHx Conference will return on November 17 to 19 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City with the best Filipino fashion designers and entrepreneurs. Paris-based Filipino-British designer Norman René De Vera and Vogue Philippines fashion director Pam Quiñones will lead the first keynote talk of the conference. With his years of experience working for various fashion houses and his current insight as the design and image director for AZ Factory, De Vera will touch on the various aspects of fashion design, the fashion business, and the creative process.
Following De Vera and Quiñones will be TFC Press founder Philippe Terrien and his wife, former fashion editor, Giselle Go, who will explore the intricacies of the ready-to-wear business, brand identity development, and collection curation. They will also touch on sales, distribution, and effective fashion public relations and marketing strategies, which they have immense experience with their full-service public relations agency, TFC Press. To date, they have collaborated with influential labels in fashion, design, art, beauty, and lifestyle, including Dries Van Noten, Aesop, Carven, Emilio Pucci, and Courrèges, and have launched their own skincare line, “Damdam Tokyo.”
Aside from these creative talks and discussions, select participants will also get the opportunity to further develop their designs by presenting them in a Portfolio Review, which will be held on the second day of the conference. Through this activity, aspiring designers will gain valuable creative, design, and commercial perspectives from the panelists, including TFC Press, Norman René De Vera, and Vogue Philippines.
The second day’s speaker lineup includes fashion labels and designers paving their way into the international scene. The panel discussion will be led by TFC Press and will be joined by Filipino Carl Jan Cruz and the co-founders of bespoke jewelry maker 13 Lucky Monkey, Dante Dizon, and Noli Coronado. In the discussion, they will impart their knowledge on the best practices in the global fashion business, as well as share their personal journey in the fashion industry. Additionally, designer and entrepreneur Dan Matutina will discuss intellectual property strategies to protect and leverage a company’s brand identity.
The PHx Fashion Group has also gone further to highlight Filipino designers this year with the launch of PHx Station, a pop-up store in Greenbelt 5, Makati. During its three-month run from October 2023 to January 2024, the PHx Station will feature Filipino contemporary fashion labels by both established and up-and-coming designers.
Each month, a new batch of designers will take over the space to showcase their own labels. These include fashion brand and designers Alexie Nethercott, Aire Apara, Bagasáo, HaMu, Idyllic Summers, Jerome Lorico, Jill Lao, Jude Macasinag, Kelvin Morales, Le Ngok, Neil Felipp, Nicolo, Novel Worldwide, and others. In collaboration with the College of St. Benilde, iAcademy, and SoFA, each batch will also feature select fashion students who will present their collections, which will equip them with practical and valuable real-world market experience.
As the PHx Fashion Conference 2023 and PHx Station converge, they serve as powerful symbols of the vibrancy, tenacity, and potential of the Filipino fashion industry. With each initiative, the opportunities for Filipino designers and entrepreneurs continue to expand, creating new waves in fashion.
Tickets are now available for purchase at www.phxfashion.org. To get a 20% discount on regular and day passes, Vogue Philippines readers may use the promo code “PHxVOGUE” upon checkout. For the latest news, speaker announcements, and PHx Station highlights, you may follow PHx Fashion Group’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
