John Ablaza Toronto Bowtie Couture Trunk Show

John Ablaza Toronto Bowtie Couture Trunk Show

ohn Ablaza prepares a model backstage.

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos

INTERNATIONALLY renowned Filipino designer John Ablaza held a trunk show for his Bowtie Couture line in Mississauga on October 17, 2016 at the STIR Kitchen & Beverage Company. The show featured handcrafted bowties and accessories along with some of Ablaza’s formal and casual creations. Ablaza is known for his eco-friendly designs using sustainable natural materials.

A socially conscious artist with a passion for promoting materials naturally sourced from the Philippines, he has collaborated with the Mangyan tribe using native materials to handcraft his pieces in order to create jobs to build a better future for their community.

An avid traveller seeking inspiration from people and the environment, he recently travelled to Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe by invitation of the US Embassy where he taught workshops and collaborated with designers and artisans on a fusion collection mixing Filipino and Zimbabwean artistry. Ablaza will be celebrating his 30th anniversary in the fashion industry next year.

International fashion designer John Ablaza with his models at the STIR Kitchen & Beverage Company.

nternational fashion designer John Ablaza (centre) with the cast and director of the multi-award winning film Living Instead. From left: Emily Bolanos, Michelle Chermaine, John Ablaza, director Beverly Vergel and Joey Abrenilla. Living Instead actresses Emily Bolanos and Michelle Chermaine walked the runway for the notable personalities segment of the fashion show. After winning awards and nominations in international film festivals in Spain and Brazil, Living Instead has also recently been officially selected for the Canadian Diversity Film Festival

From left: Michelle Chermaine, Maili J, Claris Minas Manglicmot, Brian Crombie, Emily Bolanos and Brian Meikle
backstage after the show.

The cast and director of multi-award winning international film Living
Instead pose with FV Foods owner Mel Galeon who walked the runway during the notable personalities
segment of the show.
From left: Joey Abrenilla,
Emily Bolanos, director Beverly Vergel, Michelle Chermaine and Mel Galeon.