LOCAL PRIDE
Time and again, it has been established that our country is abundant with creatives. Whether it is from the realm of design, architecture, or the arts, the Filipino talent has emerged as one of the strongest voices in our industry. Case in point: this month, we pay homage to the National Artist for Fashion Design, Salvacion Lim Higgins.
Slim, as she is more popularly known, established the Slim’s Fashion and Arts school in 1960. Since its inception, Slim’s has produced some of the biggest names in Philippine fashion design– Michael Cinco, Albert Andrada, and Joey Samson, to name a few. MEGA was fortunate enough to be given access to Slim’s archival pieces–some of which even date back during the fiifties. Our biggest take away? Great design truly transcends time–and this is evident in the designer’s creations. As we celebrate Slim’s contribution to local fashion, may we be reminded of the talented Filipino designers who honor our culture through their craft and artistry. May this also inspire us to support the local fashion industry and empower our designers.
In this issue, we also pose the question: “Is the Philippines the next fashion destination in Asia?” With international luxury brands opening boutiques in Manila, as well as local brands and designers strengthening their retail businesses, it is apparent that the shopping landscape is indeed booming. Read about our thoughts on the matter on page 46. Our fashion pages also feature the local pride movement: from the return of the Filipiniana and barong to local brands and young designers on the rise, there’s an undeniable fact that the industry is back and thriving.
Lastly, actress and entrepreneur Maja Salvador returns to MEGA’s pages once again as she talks about career longevity, future plans, and how she’s coping with her new role.
Enjoy the issue!