by Vladimir Estocado, FPPI
Unknowingly, Fashion Forte’s birth was way back 45 years ago at the now Manila Sofitel Hotel. Its brainchild was no less than one of the most iconic Philippine Fashion Designer Mamarachi Nardie Presa, whose popularity rose in the 1980s when his bamboo design won an international contest. Nardie Presa graduated from college (pre-medicine) at De La Salle University (DLSU), and took his post-graduate studies in Medicine, however his preference for fashion overtook his parents’ desire of becoming him a doctor.
The medical field was swapped to fashion and soon dressed Metro Manila’s who’s who in the entertainment industry. His exposition for fashion was expressed through fashion shows with an international standard at par with Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and Tokyo Fashion Week, to name a few.
Fashion Forte expresses through fashion runway exhibition every designer’s specialty and strength in conceptualizing clothes and designs. Hopping from different hotels in Metro Manila found its niche at the heart of Ortigas Center, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Hotel, at Barangay Ugong Norte, Quezon City, Philippines.
Extravagant yet stylish designer’s clothes were displayed at Crowne Plaza Hotel during the Fashion Shows of Fashion Forte last year, accumulating more than forty (40) Fashion Designers for at least 5 series of shows from Fashion Forte Series X, XI, XII, XIV & XV. Notably, participants range from students, beginners, novices, hobbyists, and semi-professionals to professionals weaved to create a magnificent show by its Director – Audie Espino, co-founder of Philippine Fashion Week.
Philippines’ fashion is struggling to regain its value and significance in the international scene. Hurray to the crowning of Fil-American R’Bonney Gabriel as the new Miss Universe 2023 as it propelled the popularity of Filipino lineage in beauty and fashion. Whilst fashion and pageants go together in a gray area, upcoming models and beauty queens mistook it as identical and equivalent.
Fashion Forte last year positioned itself as one of the remaining Fashion Shows in Metro Manila that solely rely on its sustenance and survival in traditional marketing. Its Producer/Owner, Nardie Presa relied on his own “formula of success”; the Director – Audie Espino, and the Venue – Crowne Plaza Hotel, selected “Thursday” as the day of the event, avoiding clashes of events on weekends.
Professionalism remains at its core, and sustainability and staying power remained as the main challenges this 2023. Fashion evolved, and new players are now emerging in the field. Unlike beauty pageants, the Top 5 are; Miss Universe Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas, Miss World, Mutya ng Pilipinas, and Miss Earth Philippines. Fashion shows are still dominated by Philippine Fashion Week – where brothers, Joey and Audie Espino are at its steering wheel.
Fashion Forte is not new in the playing field, Nardie Presa was out of the country for almost 3 decades since the 1980s, and is just regaining its supremacy and influence after 2 years lull during the pandemic. Reconnecting old ties with long-time friendships with Renee Salud, Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis and Audie Espino added the spice of time-tested formula on how to make every Fashion Forte a success. This year alone, it is offering a 5 series of Fashion Shows at Crowne Plaza Hotel; on the following schedules. For more information, please contact Nardie Presa: +63 917 615 1911.
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