Pinoy designers to be featured in Canada fashion show in June

Eight months after a father wrote down his dream a table napkin, it is about to become a reality: Canada Philippine Fashion Week that will start on June 10 this year.

Jeff Rustia, founder and executive director of Canada Philippine Fashion Week, spearheaded a week-long event to showcase the culture, art, and beauty of the Philippines.

The event is a place for Filipino and Filipino–Canadian designers and innovators to showcase their creation abroad.

GMA Internationalwill be broadcasting a one-hour TV special on Canada Philippine Fashion Week in Canada, United States, and the Middle East.

Among the Filipino fashion designers who will be presenting their collections are Francis Libiran, Noel Crisostomo, John Ablaza, Roland Alzate, Norman Noriega, Brian Maristela, Leonard Co, and more.

"This dazzling week of Filipino fashion, culture, entertainment, and philanthropy is to promote the Philippines and the Filipinos— to highlight the Filipino creativity and artistry, boost tourism, open fashion economy and trade between Canada and the Philippines," said Rustia.

A dream

"My father always taught me that when you have a dream, write it down, and one day it will come true," Rustia told GMA News Online via e-mail.

"Before I knew it, I had managed to convince some of the most iconic Manila designers to come to Toronto. I also managed to put together an incredible team of dynamic and talented Filipino-Canadians who shared the same passion as I do," he added.

The proceeds of the said event will go to Kol Hope Foundation For Children, a Canadian charitable organization that supports children born with Trisonomy-related disabilities and chromosomal disorders.

The most common type of Trisonomy disability is Trisonomy 21, known as Down Syndrome.

Canada has over 180,000 children aged five to 14 who were born with a disability. About 2,700 of these children have Trisonomy-related disabilities.

The Kol Hope Foundation is named after Rustia's son Kol, who had Trisonomy 13, a fatal genetic syndrome. He was diagnosed to live only three months but he defied odds and lived for 14 years.

"He was diagnosed to live only three months, and so in fact, his entire life was a miracle itself. When he passed away, I went back to the Philippines for a four-month sabbatical," he said.

"This  (the fashion show project) is about continuing Kol's legacy of love, charity and hope for many generations to come… and to be able to help children who need our care and support. It is truly a fashion event with a heart," stressed Rustia. - VVP, GMA News