published in Korea.net

It was dusk and the sudden downpour of rain was a threat to the well-prepared ASEAN Fashion Show that was to happen in less than two hours. But the heavens conspired and stopped the rain just in time when the VIPs, composed of the members of the diplomatic corps of the ASEAN-member nations, started arriving. At exactly 7:30 in the evening on June 15, 2019, the host Ms. MinJi Kim of the ASEAN-Korea Center opened the program. She informed the guests that the Fashion Show, highlighting the designers from each member-nation, was the first of its kind to be held commemorating the anniversary of the ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relations. This year is particularly special as it is the celebration of its 30^th anniversary as well as the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC).

ASEAN Members

All the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were distinguishably represented by their designers and their creations. One by one, models donning these creations walked the runway and showed the country’s unique fabrics and designs. In the following order; creations from Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Lao DPR, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Brunei graced the stage. At the end of the designer’s line-up, members of the diplomatic corps came out wearing their country’s national dresses, among them were spouses of the ambassadors from Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Lao DPR, and Cambodia.

Mr. Do Trinh Hoai Nam, designer from Vietnam displayed silky and floral collections. It was followed with a collection of black and white ensemble by designer Mr. Paul Direk from Thailand. Singapore’s designer Ms. Fock Ee-Ling showed dainty pieces, some of which were casually paired with sneakers. The designer from the Philippines, Ms. Lenora Luisa Cabili, stayed loyal to the Filipiniana form showing creations with a modern take of the national dress. Myanmar’s designer Ms. El Nandar San showcased her collections in pastels. Malaysia came tropical with its collection of summer clothes created by Mr. Fairuz Ramdan. Ms. Somephone Phonepaseuth from Lao DPR brought her silk collection to the fashion show. Indonesia came out with mostly black and brown and stripes collection from designer Ms. Lia Retnoningsih and each model carried an Indonesian mask as they walk the runway. Cambodia showed a collection of long gowns in royal colors  from designer Ms. Nou Veasna Alias Boranich. Brunei’s Ms. Farhanna Pura brought to the festival her couture creations under her line Naforrer. It was an elegant display of high fashion. Acclaimed and well-respected Hanbok designer, Ms. Park Sul-nyeo took the center stage with her hanbok collection as the finale of the event.

ASEAN-Korea Secretary General Mr. Lee Hyuk, together with the Ambassadors from the ASEAN member-nations, went up the stage and congratulated the designers and models. The event also got entertainment from K-pop singers The One and Soyou.

When the creation from the Philippines came out one by one I couldn’t help but notice their crowns and tiaras. Each model was either wearing a sun-inspired crown or a tiara, a reference perhaps to our queens? The Philippines is a powerhouse of beauty queens, the latest being the current 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray.

On a more historical note, the sun is a prominent part of our Philippine flag. I was impressed by Ms. Cabili’s modern take of our Filipiniana. I am looking forward to wearing one of her creations and proudly wear it. I am sure the other attendees from the ASEAN member-nations felt the same pride towards the work of their respective designers.  

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