For 10 years, the Fashion Designers Alliance (FaDAL) has done the fashion industry well in providing the much-needed spotlight on local talents. Having given an abundance of opportunities to many young and up-and-coming designers, the alliance has become an avenue for the next generation of aspiring creators to enter the realms of fashion.
With the introduction of a new breed of young designers last year, the team, led by createur-in-chief Levenson Rodriguez, congregated to brainstorm on creative alternatives that could help alleviate the unfortunate consequences of the pandemic. The product of these meetings produced a series of fundraising campaigns called "Changing the Fashion Narrative."
Kicking the series off last September 2020, a successful "Banig" campaign in collaboration with Headshot Clinic by Niccolo Cosme, was able to fund the schooling of Sulodnon children (an indigenous tribe from Panay). Six Wi-Fi modems were donated and preloaded with two months of unlimited surfing.
This year, in its first post-pandemic physical exhibit, FaDAL and eight of its most prominent members showcased their most recent creative pieces for ArtMasks. ArtMasks are non-medical grade masks embellished and designed by the collective, inspired by countries hard-hit by the pandemic.
Last week, these masks were exhibited at Kondwi (a project partner) in Poblacion, Makati, with funds raised donated to charitable institutions chosen by the designers.
Continuing its momentum, FaDAL pushes the envelope further with another set of ArtMasks to be auctioned off in May. This time, inspired by Filipino local festivals, a fitting ode to community celebrations that were forced to a pause for the last 12 months.
For more information about ArtMask, follow @fashiondesignersalliance