It was a busy Tuesday at Happy Andrada’s Fart Fashion Art atelier when the Style Weekend team visited the her. The designer was attending to a bride who was trying on a romantic wedding garb with a flowy train. Happy was in her element, talking to her client in the fitting room and making adjustments to her client's dream dress.
Her atelier is a playful space thanks to the patterns and colors of her pieces on display. On the other end is her desk with enormous photos of her past creations, magazine clippings, and awards serving as the background. It is a goal of Style Weekend to see designers in their element.
Pursuing a career in the fashion industry is a natural step for Happy. Her parents were very supportive of her when it came to being creative, especially her mom, since she used to own a fashion boutique in San Juan City. They both have a passion for dressing up. With her parents’ support, Happy didn’t just learn how fashion can be art, but also how it can spark joy in anyone.
Wearing your culture
When designing a collection, Happy has made it a habit to look inside our country rather than what’s happening beyond its borders. During her early years as a fashion designer, she looked at everything that made Filipino culture so vibrant, from its weaving heritage and artisans in different fields to the iconic emblems. This allowed her to produce avant-garde pieces that put Filipino artistry on the world stage, from London and Paris fashion weeks and exhibitions in Seoul and Beijing to the Asian Weddings and Arts Competition in Hong Kong and Japan’s Fashion Design Competition, to name a few. Some of her notable works include a line inspired by the works of tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od, a futuristic take on the Filipiniana, and collections presenting the many tapestries of the Philippines.
“When I create something, I always make sure to make it a synergy, a collaboration of regions,” Happy tells Style Weekend. “My collection is always a merging of local fabrics.”
But these days, people can easily wear a Happy Andrada piece—think of her bomber barong jackets and fuss-free Filipiniana dresses. Not only are they wearing an original piece from the designer, they are also reminded of the stories of the many creatives who worked to make that article of clothing masterpiece. For her latest collection, Happy put a springtime charm to classic silhouettes, producing a romantic collection that aims to celebrate every kind of woman.
In making the collection, Happy used locally sourced textiles such as piña and woven tapestries from Laguna, Cebu, and Sulu. One of the things that she is proud of is the barong-inspired pieces adorned with embroideries of a Filipino fiesta. Airy are the intricately beaded floral frocks, which are playful styled with lace caps. Summer-ready are the collection’s Swarovski crystal-embellished camisas styled with inaul tapis skirts that come in a variety of colors. Adding drama to the collection are the ball skirts festuring elaborate fabric manipulation.
“With my latest collection, I want it to present different sides of femininity, not just prim and proper. Some of the looks are bomber jackets and varsity jackets. Other pieces are a bit goth-looking,” the Central Saint Martins graduate explains. “I want to capture the different kinds of women. I guess it is my market. The people that come to my shop are different all the time. So there should always be something for everybody.”
Life of a designer
Being a designer for over 18 years, Happy knows that the things that will set designers apart from other creatives are their heritage, story, and voice. By using materials crafted by the hands of Filipinos and putting her own Happy twist on traditional designs, she was able to carve out her name in the industry.
While her brand focuses more on ready-to-wear pieces, Happy continues to go bold with her designs for special projects. This time, she is preparing for an exhibition in Seoul set to take place in September.
Her advice to budding fashion designers? Know your style, hone your craft, and remember that fashion should be fun.
“It is not a glamorous job. You have to be resourceful. It is a lot of carrying stuff around and late nights sewing, putting Swarovski crystals, and dealing with clients,” Happy says. “It is a difficult job but it is a lot of fun. You have to watch your neck because you might get Spondylosis.”
Happy Andrada’s latest collection is now available at www.fartfashionart.com
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