TO BE YOU DESIGNER AND BENCH WINNER WINS THE NOD OF VOGUE.COM

@inqtobeyou The winners of the recent Bench Fashion Awards finally had their collections showcased in the recent Tokyo Fashion Week in Shibuya Hikarie Hall in the city’s downtown district. And the style agenda setter vogue.com singled out the work of a young Filipino designer, whose clothes had been featured in To be You.

Sponsored by Bench, the Filipino designers who paraded their collections in Tokyo Fashion Week were Christian Edward Dalogaog, Otto Sacramento and Renz Reyes.

Tokyo Fashion Week aimed to showcase the works of Asian designers and share Japanese fashion design knowledge and aesthetic with other Asian countries.

Writer Monica Kim in vogue.com cited the creations of Reyes as the “strongest of the lot.”

Reyes, who developed his techniques in appliqués, embellishments and deconstruction, was commended by Kim for how his techniques “effectively cross utility with craft.”

Kim added that Reyes’ collection was reminiscent of Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo, the creator of Comme des Garçons—a sort of homage to Japan, she noted. She also said that the rough-stitching, unfinished hems and imperfect patching displayed a “nice handiwork that felt distinctly, beautifully Pinoy.”

Reyes added four additional designs to his original eight-piece collection for the Tokyo show. Waterproof embroidered parka with contrast stitching, embroidered shirt with fringe and raw-edged wide-leg pants with contrast stitching

Filipino fashion and lifestyle label Bench also showcased its Summer 2019 collection—collegiate and sports staples with a tropical feel. A range of bowling and rugby shirts, sports jackets, shorts, skirts and dresses made of cotton and light denim evoked summer island dressing.

Striped tee and khaki pants, Bench

Flamingo-embroidered blouse and print skirt, Bench

Striped bikini top and kneelength shorts, Bench

Cropped blouse and denim skirt, Bench

—PHOTOS BYMARKANTHONYYAMADA Handkerchief top with abstract embroidery

Filipino model Yaofa dela Cruz in Reyes’ cotton shirtdress with contrast stitching

V-neck midi dress with tessellation embroidery and bow straps

Black bomber jacket, oversized tee, dark chino shorts, Bench

Checkered top, oversized dress shirt and chino shorts, Bench

Denim jacket and denim pants, Bench