A week-long celebration presenting fashion, culture, creativity and artistry of Filipinos in Canada and in the Philippines will be held at the first Canada Philippine Fashion Week. This event will happen from June 10th to June 15th in venues in Toronto such as Roy Thompson Hall (for the fashion show gala on June 14th) and the TIFF Bell Lightbox (for the VIP film screening on June 12th – Philippine Independence Day).
Aside from showcasing the works of leading fashion icons, and young and emerging designers from both countries, there will be a wide range of exhibits such as Fashion Statements of Jose Rizal (the Philippine National hero), Mangyan Tribes Exhibit, as well as Frances Libiran’s 100 Dress Collection. People will also be exposed to film showings, Filipino music performances, art, cuisines as well as performances from the Southeast Asian nation.
According to the Executive Director and Founder of the fashion week Jeff Rustia, the best part of this celebration is that it is all for a great cause. The partnership with the Kol Hope Foundation for Children will use fundraising events during the fashion week with all proceeds going to foundation.
“We are very honoured and touched to have the loving support of Canada Philippine Fashion Week and everyone involved. This event will assist us in our mission to help and support children in Canada and the Philippines,” says Melinda Rustia, President of Kol Hope Foundation for Children.
The charitable institution was founded in 2002 after a Filipino-Canadian boy named Kol who had Trisomy-13, a gene deemed fatal. His life expectancy was only three months but he was able to live for 14 years; his story is the inspiration to the foundation so that it could help those who have Trisomy-related disabilities in Canada or in the Philippines.
The fashion week is expected to support the foundation through the aid of its sponsors, the biggest of which is PLDT, the largest telecommunications company in the Philippines. Other big names included are Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, Philippine Airlines, Mary Kay, Scotiabank, Lexus and the event’s official broadcast sponsor – GMA International – one of the leading television companies in the Philippines. The TV station will be responsible for televising the event to 2.5 million viewers worldwide on a one-hour telecast showing that truly, this event is ‘fashion with a heart’.
For more information on Canada Philippine Fashion Week, head to the website at http://www.canadaphilippinefashionweek.com/
