MARK BUMGARNER, PATTY ANG & JOHN HERRERA

Emerging Global Designers

When we talk about young designers pioneering a new era of Philippine fashion, the names John Herrera, Patty Ang and Mark Bumgarner will always be uttered. Perhaps it is because of their insightful picture of a modern Filipina—global, classy, free and constantly learning. Whether they’re dressing women in minimalist, embellished, or couture dresses, they put the identity of the person above all else. “If [they] can fashionize it, it’s fashion,” says John Herrera.

And yet, we cannot talk about these young designers without talking about their eponymous brands’ growth, which they credit to social media. Apart from trotting the globe through the ‘Gram and expanding their networks online (when they’re not abroad themselves), the free commercial space online gave them the upper hand. “I didn’t know how to get the word out. The power of social media is crazy,” muses Patty Ang.

And while the world is getting smaller and smaller for fashion and the designers, garnering local recognition is as important as getting global attention from both industry players and consumers. Proudly representing the country both internationally and here, Mark Bumgarner puts this priority into words best. “We always make sure that [people] know we’re from here. [We also] promote local things. [For example] if they’re willing to come over for fittings, at the same time [we] tell them where they can go around. It doesn’t just end with the dress. I think representing the Philippines is representing it as a whole. We do it in our little way. We try to at least.”—KS