The collection is an ode to the abundant rural life in the Philippines and its rich cultural and agricultural heritage
Like a Fernando Amorsolo piece coming to life, The Playground in Bench Tower has been turned into an idyllic Filipino rural setup with the help of Lesley Mobo’s collaboration collection with the Filipino clothing brand Bench. Aptly titled “Masaganang Bukid,” his new line is a love letter to Filipino farmers and their role in preserving the country’s rich cultural and agricultural heritage.
Setting the mood of his festive showcase is a harvest maiden dressed in a floral terno garb with 3-D hibiscus embellishments. Warming up the stage for the collection is a marching band with their gleeful tunes. And soon enough, muses wearing modern ternos paraded the runway. “Masaganang Ani” also features a more contemporary take on Filipinowear with local emblems like the banana tree, carabao, and words such as “nababaliw” and “nasasabik” printed on everyday pieces. Putting it to a grand ending are the towering models wearing terno ball dresses full of frills and joy that the audience can’t help but join them as they dance.
Definitely, one can’t help but be truly proud of our local style after witnessing Lesley’s show. But before his pieces made their debut at BFW, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle got the chance to chat with the designer as he shares his journey in making his latest collection with Bench.
First off, how are you in the past few years? What kept you busy during the pandemic?
I have been very busy after the pandemic with work which is really good. During the pandemic I’ve been busy gardening, spending time on the farm, fishing, cooking Filipino food, and packing rice and canned goods occasionally to distribute to some people in the village (as you know food was hard for some people during the pandemic). In the afternoons I constructed “Tropical Ternos” made of cotton fabrics meant to be table covers with dramatic silhouettes and butterfly sleeves. Although these are simpler in comparison to the intricately beaded terno dresses I used to make for clients, they nonetheless fit in the context of an island environment.
Can you share with us the story of your collection for BFW?
My Bench collaboration collection is about celebration! We learned a lot from the pandemic and I think it's crucial that we remember what’s important about life. During the pandemic, we realize that we should celebrate life often, connect with nature, connect with tradition, celebrate with family and loved ones, eat healthily, and connect with things that really matter in life. My collaboration with Bench is all about a celebration of everything good about being a Filipino and being proud of it.
“Masaganang Bukid” is the title of my collection for Bench, an ode to the abundant rural life in the Philippines and its rich cultural and agricultural heritage. It is also a tribute to our Filipino farmers and farming communities who have worked in the fields across the provinces until the present day. Our country’s cultural and agricultural history runs deep in the rural areas playing a critical role not only in keeping our countryside beautiful and prosperous but also in keeping our unique Philippine traditions alive.
How long did you work on it and what materials did you use?
The idea of making a collection for Bench came really quickly. I was back in London after a long 11-month lockdown in the Philippines. Ben Chan, Miguel Pastor, and Noel Manapat invited me to join them for a business trip in Madrid and we discussed the pandemic and life, etc. From there came the idea for me to create a collection for Bench. Initially, the idea was just to release the collection in stores but we decided at the last minute to put it on a show.
Did the pandemic, in a way, affected your design and creative process?
Yes, definitely. I think it's important/crucial that we remember everything we learned from the pandemic. Hence, this collection is less about clothing or “fashion” but it’s more about the message of hope and that we should always celebrate life. In a sense, this collection and this show are more about connection and celebration.
What is your goal in creating this collection?
The goal is to celebrate life and celebrate being Filipino and celebrate those people that provided us food during the pandemic—the farmers.
We have to honor what is close to us, close to our hearts, and what matters most. No gimmick just celebrate. Everyone is asking who is my muse for this collection. I say my muse is the everyday Filipino, the “toto” and “indays” in the villages and in the provinces with beautiful glowing brown skin!
With the rise of virtual reality and the metaverse, do you think online fashion shows have the power to replace the magic that comes from live runway shows?
No doubt the future is going toward online but we cannot deny the magic of live runways. Hence, we decided with Bench that we are going to release this collaboration in a form of a live show instead. Everything has to be “alive” and “live.” It’s important that we feel we are all alive and things are moving again and it's important we celebrate it in the Filipino way.
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