Stylefest PH 2018 is a full-blown fashion event that will create a platform for fashion and beauty enthusiasts to create, collaborate, and bring their creative entrepreneurial projects to life. One of its notable features is the Designer Mentorship Program, which aims to help promising designers make it big in the fashion industry.

During the press launch, Michael Coson, Globe’s Head Integration and Portfolio Management, Creative Marketing & Multimedia Business, says the program gives the most promising designers from across the Philippines the opportunity to be mentored by the Style Council, which is composed of the country’s top fashion and beauty experts.

According to Michael, the program has six pillars: mentorship, design, development, retailing, technology, and marketing. The program is structured to make the design and business know-how of fashion, beauty, and retail industry experts available to guide promising fashion designers with their design and entrepreneurial projects.

As part of its commitment to small and medium enterprises in the Philippines, Globe myBusiness will be coming in to lead the retailing pillar of the program. It will ensure that the designers under the program will be able to learn the ropes of retailing in the fashion scene by elevating their entrepreneurial know-how.

“Retailing is an exciting part of this program. You can’t just design without ensuring cost efficiency, choosing the right fabric, and picking the best production line. Retailing your product is very much important,” Michael says.

“A great design will only remain a great design if you don’t have a great distribution channel. That is where entrepreneurship comes in. Together with the Style Council, Globe myBusiness will develop and nurture our finalists’ entrepreneurship skills,” Michael adds.

Meanwhile, the Style Council will be headed by iconic Filipino designer Ino Sotto. He will be joined by fashion stylist Pam Quiñones, ZALORA Philippines co-founder and CEO Paulo Campos, professional make-up artist Jigs Mayuga, fashion and lifestyle editor Sarah Santiago, Globe Lifestyle head Leah de Guzman, and Fashion Exchange International co-founder Carmina Sanchez-Jacob.

Together, they will mentor eight promising Filipino designers, who were carefully selected from 38 applicants from all over the country. The top finalists will be given a cash prize to help them start their ventures and a spot at Stylefest PH to bring their designs and products to the runway, which will be sold exclusively at Zalora PH and Globe’s in-house clothing line 0917.

The Stylefest PH’s Designer Mentorship Program will culminate in a 3-day event happening on September 7-9, 2018, featuring the capsule collection of the five (5) winners named “Emerging Designers” and the three (3) winners dubbed as the “Future of Design.”

Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu, Saga Events CEO Robby Cardona, and Grand Hyatt Manila General Manager Gottfried Bogensperger, were also present during the launch. Young social media influencers and influential figures in the local fashion industry were also in attendance.