In the name of diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability, young fashion apprentices put their skills and talent to work and produced stylish garments designed for plus-size Filipino men.
The challenge was to create an ensemble that would flatter them without losing the concept of mindful fashion. Each of the garments can fit men up to size 46 who stand 5’10 to 6 feet, or 178 to 184 centimeters.
The students from the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde seamlessly combined and channeled creativity in “Let’s create for full-figured men!,” their latest innovation in completion of their Menswear Construction Class under the guidance of fashion designer and mentor AJ Bernabe.
Student-artists responsible for the creations include Erika Mae Ng, Beatrice Canete, Maryrose Villena, Tricie Mendoza, Pamela Madlangbayan, Miri Hwang, Bianca Arguelles, Miguel Balingit, Hazel Dizon, Sean Betco, Leo Canatoy, Anna Sadie, and Justine Torregoza.
The students conceptualized particular styles. They were encouraged to think outside of the box and beyond the conventional size chart, and experiment and explore various pattern techniques.
With the help of plus-size mannequins, they were able to get the proper measurements, utilized draft patterns from upcycled materials such as used and old clothes incorporated with scraps of indigenous fabrics, until they came up with the final look that is proportional.
Aside from classic menswear, some pieces were designed for androgynous clients.