MODERN FILIPINIANA MADE FRESH AND FUN BY HAPPY ANDRADA

A music festival is a curious place to launch a fashion collection, but as the eclectic percussions and enchanting vocals from Pinoy power world music band Anima Tierra echoed through the auditorium at the BGC Arts Center, Happy Andrada's collection similarly embodied the beauty and energy of modern Filipiniana and looked right at home.

- By MONIQUE BUENSALIDO

The Pinoy Playlist Music Festival (PPMF) is an annual event that celebrates Filipino musical artistry curated by the National Artist for Music maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Moy Ortiz, Noel Ferrer, and Maribel Garcia. While they've consistently championed and celebrated original Filipino music across genres and generations, this was the first time in their seven years of existence to feature someone who expresses her art, culture, and Pinoy pride in the form of fashion.

"Happy Andrada is the very first featured fashion artist in the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival," revealed Moy Ortiz, one of the curators of the PPMF, as he opened the show. "We are fusing Filipino music with original, exciting Filipino fashion design."

Just like music, fashion can be dynamic, evocative, and powerful, and the PPMF was ecstatic to pair Anima Tierra's soul-stirring, pulsating music with Andrada's works.

"This event celebrates the best of Filipino culture," echoed Andrada. "It's a privilege to share my vision of modern Filipiniana with such a passionate audience."

In a time when local fashion seems to be ubiquitous, Happy manages to reimagine the iconic Filipiniana style for today and make the familiar silhouettes fresh again, thanks to her mastery and playfulness in detailing and fabric.