Bench Fashion Week Archives

To dream the Impalpable Dreams

Following the success of his first foray into perfumes in 2012, Michael Cinco again collaborates with Bench to create two new scents. By Alex Y. Vergara Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco collaborates anew with Bench, as he launches a new line of Impalpable scents. Michael and Ben Chan, head…

Bench embraces new normal with all-digital fashion show

True to its DNA as one of the country’s leading home-grown lifestyle brands, Bench, as well as offshoot brands Human and Kashieca, has fully embraced the new normal with a recent online fashion show featuring its holiday collections worn by some of the country’s hottest celebrities. Maine Mendoza for Bench…

Just plain good, chic and often edgy clothes

For the first time in years, no young hard bodies--men or women--paraded in their underwear at the recent BFW Holiday 2019. Not that it mattered. Instead, the three-day event would be remembered for its many firsts—from Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez and Patty Ang’s respective debut collections for Kashieca as well as…

Mark Bumgarner debuts at Bench Fashion Week with RTW collection for eponymous label

By Alex Y. Vergara Mark Bumgarner’s debut collection as an RTW designer, including accessories such as bags, shoes and jewelry pieces, shared the ramp with Kashieca’s latest collection worn by some of the country’s most iconic models on Day Two of the recently concluded Bench Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2019 at…

Rafé kicks off BFW ’19 with Siargao-meets-Hawaii collection

By Alex Y. Vergara “I didn’t even know that you could surf in the Philippines,” exclaimed Rafé Totengco. The New York-based RTW and accessories designer was referring to his eye-opening experience after his first ever visit to Siargao a few seasons ago. After being based in the Big Apple for…

Turning Japanese

Whether or not they chose to deliberately channel various Japanese influences, the three recent winners in this year’s Bench Design Awards – Ched Dalogaog, Otto Sacramento and Renz Reyes – produced off-kilter yet wearable collections that made sense. By Alex Y. Vergara Was it deliberate or purely coincidental? And how…

Ivarluski Aseron takes centerstage with “off center” collection

Once more, one of the best Filipino designers of his generation weaves his brand of magic with a collection for Bench Fashion Week consisting of pleated see-through skirts, hand-stitched trims, trompe-l’oeil shirts and woven panels made from labels unapologetically splashed with his name. By Alex Y. Vergara Amid hard, uncertain times, Philippine…

Joey Samson explores new approaches to tailoring at Bench Fashion Week

PeopleAsia caught Days 2 and 3 of Bench’s recent fashion week at Bench Tower’s Playground at the Fort. Leading designer Joey Samson capped off the three-day event with a 25-piece collection that highlighted his continuing love affair with tailoring and various suiting materials. The collection was vintage Samson in terms…