Fashion designer Happy Andrada wove her inspiring story into a unique presentation of the iconic clothes she created for more than two decades.
At her 25th-anniversary fashion show directed by Raymund Ramirez Seranillo on October 17 at the Globe Auditorium of the BGC Arts Center, Andrada revisited defining moments of her career, breathing new life into archival pieces that reflected her creative journey.
The show was part of this year’s Pinoy Playlist Musikahan, where Andrada is the lone featured fashion designer at the music festival, organized by the Bonifacio Art Foundation and curated by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, alongside Moy Ortiz, Noel Ferrer, and Maria Isabel Garcia.
Andrada made her mark in the fashion scene by incorporating Filipino heritage fabrics such as binakol, Yakan, T’nalak, pis siyabit, inaul, piña, and inabel in her designs-elevating them with intricate details like handmade embroidery and beadwork made by master artisans.
‘I’ve been using indigenous fabrics since 2004. When I was designing ready-to-wear clothes, not many people were buying my creations. It was something different. People were just looking at it, ‘Oh, that’s nice!’ But now, there’s a market for it. I’m super happy that there are more and more people who are seeing it,’ she told members of the media after the show.
With OPM tunes performed by The CompanY and world music spiritedly played by Anima Tierra, models sashayed on stage presenting 25 of her iconic creations from collections shown on local and global runways in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Seoul.
Among the outfits were an interpretation of an artwork by Juvenal Sansó from a collaboration with Fundación Sansó early this year and a dress shown at the Youngwol Fashion Art Biennale in South Korea.
‘I have my own archive, and I’m so glad I was able to keep these for my milestones from the competitions and my first fashion show.
‘While I was watching, I got teary-eyed. I didn’t expect this would happen. I remember the moments when I showcased them, and now, look where these clothes got me. Now, we’re showcasing them. It’s very surreal to me,’ she revealed.
‘I’ve been using indigenous fabrics since 2004. When I was designing ready-to-wear clothes, not many people were buying my creations. It was something different. People were just looking at it, ‘Oh, that’s nice!’ But now, there’s a market for it. I’m super happy that there are more and more people who are seeing it,’ she told members of the media after the show.
With OPM tunes performed by The CompanY and world music spiritedly played by Anima Tierra, models sashayed on stage presenting 25 of her iconic creations from collections shown on local and global runways in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Seoul.
Among the outfits were an interpretation of an artwork by Juvenal Sansó from a collaboration with Fundación Sansó early this year and a dress shown at the Youngwol Fashion Art Biennale in South Korea.
‘I have my own archive, and I’m so glad I was able to keep these for my milestones from the competitions and my first fashion show.
‘While I was watching, I got teary-eyed. I didn’t expect this would happen. I remember the moments when I showcased them, and now, look where these clothes got me. Now, we’re showcasing them. It’s very surreal to me,’ she revealed.
Andrada has reaped local and international accolades including the National Commission of Culture and Arts Ani Ng Dangal in Visual Art 2018, International Artist of the Year 2017 in the International Fashion Art Biennale, Seoul, Korea, Miami Fashion Week International Emerging Designer, and the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines’ Weaving the Future award.
Modernity meets heritage
The second half of her show affirms her ongoing love affair with Filipino heritage textiles.
Reflecting the timeless and inclusive appeal of her designs, Andrada sent older models down the runway.
Viewers approved as they applauded media personalities like Phillip Cu Unjieng, Dolly Ann Carvajal, and Vicky Barrera, chef Cyrille Soenen, Zonta Makati and Environs president Marcy Konchet Chua, Manila councillor Jo Quintos Manila, designer Frannie Manotoc, and businesswoman Melania Yau, among others, gamely sashaying in their Andrada creations on stage.
Everyday staples such as formal coats, bomber jackets, dresses, and skirts were reworked by Andrada into unconventional ensembles elevated with touches of indigenous weaves. Familiar garments like the ‘tapis’ and ‘saya’ became unique expressions of Filipino identity and pride.
The fashion show was more than a celebration of Andrada’s successful career. It was also a tribute to the weaving communities she continues to work with and the long journey of bringing their fabrics to local and international runways where Filipino artistry and heritage can be appreciated further.
‘I’ve been supporting weavers since I started in 2004 so that I’m able to make their craft sustainable and alive,’ she said.
‘My goal since way back is to work with weavers because I wanted to help. It was a dying practice, but now I’m really glad it’s thriving. Hopefully, it’s going to continue in the future,’ she added.
An emotional Andrada bowed before an appreciative audience. Two of the dearest people in her life and career-her mom, Wilhelmina Villanueva, and husband Tanguy Gras-handed her flower bouquets.
Asked what she would tell the young Andrada from 25 years ago, the multi-awarded fashion designer answered, ‘Well, just have fun and continue what you do. Keep going.’