Couture & Culture marked the first time that international fashion designer, John Ablaza brought his eco-friendly collection to the United States. After showcasing his work on the runways of Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Bahrain, Sydney and Toronto, Ablaza presented his collection at the Phoenix Art Museum for a charity event raising money for the Miss Arizona Scholarship Pageant and The 3000 Club.
Known for his use of natural fibers and fair work practices for the tribe of the Mangyan, Ablaza is more than just a fashion designer. His work represents an opportunity to change the life of his native people.
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
The collection ranged from simple gown with gorgeous fabrics, to showstopping pieces that left me breathless. With this 50 piece fashion show, Ablaza was able to show variety and range of design. Of course, I had my favorite looks and my least favorite looks, but overall I was impressed with the level of detail and professionalism the collection showcased.
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
My favorite looks of the night were a series of brown dresses, each featuring a fresh silhouette with eye-catching details. The hand beading on these gowns transformed them from just a pretty dress to true designer pieces. The audience all leaned in closer to the runway to get a better view of the gorgeous details on these dresses, bu luckily James has a fancy camera where we can just zoom for you guys.
Photos courtesy of Almanza Photography
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
The best look of the show was this fringe beaded gown that mesmerized the audience as the model glided down the runway. Fashion designers take note. This is the type of detail and craftsmanship that will have press, celebrities, and fashion royalty paying attention to your work.
Photos courtesy of Almanza Photography
Although not every look was as showstopping as the gowns shown above, the Miss Arizona Scholarships Pageant models kept the audience engaged and entertained. You could feel the charm and poise dripping from every inch of these girls’ being.
As they say, “She’s beauty and she’s grace. She’s Miss United States.”
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
And just in case that wasn’t enough entertainment, John Ablaza included plenty of shirtless male models through his bow-tie fashion show, finishing with a manpede (get it? man stampede) that definitely left an impact on the crowd. However, most of the crowd honestly didn’t realize why they were watching a bunch of shirtless guys walk a runway, until the very end of that segment, when a model came out with bow ties up and down his arms and threw them out to audience members.
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
“Oh the bow ties…. we were supposed to be looking at the bow ties.”
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
Sticking to the topic of male fashion, my favorite looks from the men were actually the more tribal pieces. I was completely obsessed this feather neck piece and wood belt piece. Although maybe not practical for every day life here in Arizona, the craftsmanship was absolutely beautiful, and I loved the way Ablaza styled the piece around a jacket lapel to show how the piece can be worn in venues where clothing is not optional.
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
Another incredible feather piece were these pants worn by Kristoffer Smith who opened the show. His amazing flips not only awed the crowd, but also showcased the beautiful movement of the feathers. The real quesetion is… do I have to be a performer to rock a pair of pants like this, or is this something that could be a closet staple like my vintage fur jackets?
Photos courtesy of Almanza Photography
All in all, the strengths of the collection definitely lied in the use of materials, particularly in the bead and feather work, as well as in the innovative approach to silhouettes. Although some of the show was a bit overdone for my taste, I definitely saw potential for the designer as he sets to make a name for himself in the United States.
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
I really loved how different the collection was from anything we have seen in Phoenix thus far, and was thankful for all the individuals who made it possible for this talented designer to come make his USA debut here in Arizona. We will definitely keep tabs on Mr. John Ablaza and are hoping to see his gowns grace the red carpet on a major Hollywood starlet one day.
Photo courtesy of Almanza Photography
See all the looks from the show in the gallery below, courtesy of Almanza Photography.
To learn more about Couture & Culture and the work John Ablaza is doing for his community, visit CoutureandCulture.us
