By Carol Tanjutco

 

Designers Albert Andrada, Oz Go, Bessie Besana,  a guest and Sidney Perez presented their latest collections at the New York Fashion Week. Photo by Carol Tanjutco.

 

After months of planning and preparation, it all came down to one night of evening gala attended by some 300 Manhattan fashionistas. Fresh from the Philippines, designers Sidney Perez, Bessie Besana, Oz Go, and Albert Andrada had their mannequins strut the aisles in style for the winter edition of New York Fashion Week 2018.

Starting from casual New York fitness lifestyle, the show’s brainchild Sidney Perez displayed his hip-hop sports and leisure wear made of neoprene, wool, and mesh fabrics, dominated by cool hues of blue, white, and black. It is his second time to show off his collection in New York. In September 2018, he will present his Spring-Summer collection for 2019.

 

  

From Milan, Roberto Rossellini (left) modelled Besana suits. Sidney Perez’ sports and leisure wear is shown at right. Photos by Carol Tanjutco.

 

Civil engineer turned fashion designer Bessie Besana followed up with his notable feminine line, an interplay of delicate lace and sheering. Specializing on bridal and pageant gowns, he dressed beauty title holders including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss World 2013 Megan Young. He, subsequently, became the General Manager for Miss World Pageant. His previous shows  in Vienna and Stockholm culminated in the much awaited New York high fashion signaling plans to expand his entrepreneurial reach and production. capacity.

 

   

Collections by Oz Go (left) Bessie Besana (center) and Albert Andrada (right). Photos by Carol Tanjutco.

 

Oz Go opened the third part of the show with glamorized career trends, which he sums up as women empowerment. He pointed out, “My style is defined by the dominance of women. Strong women who are in control of their lives, work hard and play hard.” Up next, he is working on his bridal gowns, as well as his spring-summer 2019 collection for haute couture and ready-to-wear.

For the finale, Dubai based Albert Andrada presented a collection of gowns and classic evening wear that breathes elegance, glitz, and opulence of fabrics. He was one of the three designers picked to create barongs for the delegates to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit held in the Philippines. He also designed for Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere of France.

The venue in midtown Manhattan is run by a non-profit organization, its ballroom transformed into a fashion runway by producer Velzon Velez, with the help of restaurateur Ria Serrano and the designers themselves. Models from Canada and New York were recruited for the catwalk. For his part, Bessie Besana had the participation of Ford signature model Roberto Rossellini, and was supported by his friend Pia Wurtzbach. Watch a video clip of the show at: https://youtu.be/u4suUikqu4U

 

 

Guest attendee Pia Wurtzbach with Marlon Stockinger. Second photo shows Besana and Wurtzbach, contributed by Aldo.

 

During the intermission, a slight shift of attention went to the former Miss Universe as soon as the spectators realized that she was there, hence a long queue of guests trying to snap a photo with Pia Wurtzbach, accompanied by boyfriend Marlon Stockinger. The beauty queen obliged until the organizers had to break the stream of fans building up.

All is well that ends well. Plans are underway for each designer to produce their solo shows in the near future. Bessie Besana started meeting with New York Consul General Theresa Dizon – De Vega and Philippine Ambassador to the UN Mission Teddy Boy Locsin, as he intends to promote Ilocos Sur homegrown abel handwoven fabrics for a tourism-related regional show, hopefully next fall.

 

 

Bessie Besana paid courtesy calls to Consul General Tess Dizon – De Vega and UN Mission Ambassador Teddy Boy Locsin

 

About the Author:  Carol Tanjutco, JD, CPA; Registered Investment Adviser; US  Correspondent  http://usa.inquirer.net/byline/carol-tanjutco USA Inquirer.net