Kei's Lifestyle Closet

Local Brand Freeway recently released their 6th National Artist Collectors’ Series honoring Vicente Manansala with their Freeway X Manansala Collection. I remember seeing their Nick Joaquin collection hit the stores in the past and I honestly think it is a humble move for a local brand to feature our national artists. Talk about the fushion of Fashion and Art.

I was one of the lucky ones that got to witness the fashion shaw that Freeway organized last Tuesday at The Row, Glorietta. A shout out to Isha of Psychedelic Me for sending me Freeway’s Hannah Reyes, who promptly responded to my email.

Before the show, live caricature and sketching were done by the artists from the Kunst Group. Too bad I was not able to have mine done as I was already busy sampling the food on the second floor. lol

The event was hosted by THE Divine Lee and THE Tim Yap, I seriously think the two have a very unique hosting tandem – both humble, smart and witty. The show started with a short introduction of the brand and an AVP presentation about Vicente Manansala. When it was mentioned that Vicente Manansala courted his wife for 7 years, the crowd went “Aaaawww”.

 

A little bit about Vicente Manansala from Wikipedia:

Vicente Silva Manansala (January 22, 1910 – August 22, 1981) was a Philippine cubist painter and illustrator.

Manansala was born in Macabebe, Pampanga. From 1926 to 1930, he studied at the U.P. School of Fine Arts. In 1949, Manansala received a six-month grant by UNESCO to study at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Banff and Montreal, Canada. In 1950, he received a nine-month scholarship to study at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris by the French government.

Manansala’s canvases were described as masterpieces that brought the cultures of the barrio and the city together. His Madonna of the Slums is a portrayal of a mother and child from the countryside who became urban shanty residents once in the city. In his Jeepneys, Manansala combined the elements of provincial folk culture with the congestion issues of the city.

Manansala developed transparent cubism, wherein the “delicate tones, shapes, and patterns of figure and environment are masterfully superimposed”. A fine example of Manansala using this “transparent and translucent” technique is his composition, Kalabaw (Carabao)

And then, the fashion show began…

Please bear with my crappy photos, I am still in the process of getting myself a decent camera.

I liked how the collection offered very simple cuts and pieces and let Manansala’s art do the talking when it came to the design. The pieces are wearable for casual to corporate look. My personal favorite and pick:

After the fashion show, Divine and Tim did a short interview with very special guests Maritess Mendoza-Pineda, President of Friends of Manansala Foundation, Cedie Lopez-Vargas of the The Lopez Museum and Ronna Manansala, granddaughter of Vicente Manansala. The talk was very casual and yet allowed us to get to know Vicente Manansala in a personal level especially with their cute stories of fond memories with him. How we watches the television with lights on but uses a sun visor to shield the light to his favorite tapa.

And the moment we, bloggers and fans, have been waiting for!!! The chance to get our photo taken alongside the ultimate blogger and fashion icon, Divine Lee!!!

In case you did not notice, she wore killer Kermit Tesoro heels! Swoon….

Here’s what I wore to the event, check out my outfit post HERE.

 

It was nice to have a little chit chat with Jessa of Jessa is a Supergirl and her friend Lance while waiting for my blogger friends. No photo together though, other than the one from Freeway (BOO!).

I also got to meet Micah of Princess Micah and another BOO! for not having a photo together at the event (though we had tons at the Multiply Party which we went to together afterwards). I am really really sorry for the 20 minutes you felt awkward and not entertained. I feel confident I was able to make up for it though! Love you Dear!

And a big Hello to my seatmates Arnie Villanueva of Raid my Closet and Isha Lopena! Thanks again Isha!

Here I am reconnected with my dear Myrted of LoveSkinBest (the reigning Event Commuter as she came from the Canon event that day but still looking pretty and fresh!). Photo grabbed from Arnie. Missed you both at the Multiply Event!

The whole event was short yet very informative. I therefore conclude that Fashion + Art will never be boring and the Freeway X Manansala Collection is the living proof! Oh, and thanks to Freeway for this awesome Manansala Mouse pad which I am currently using.

Check out Freeway’s Collection at http://www.freeway.net.ph and don’t forget to LIKE their page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FreewayOnline

And as always, please do visit and LIKE my Facebook Page for more photos: http://www.facebook.com/KeisLifestyleCloset