If you're an aspiring designer who's interested in enriching your view on fashion, then you're in luck! Local designers and experienced industry people alike are coming to your aid with PHx Fashion Conference, happening from November 11 to 14 at the Philippine Trade Training Center.
What is it?
PHx Fashion Conference is a four-day conference that "aims to provide a holistic, inspirational, and informative experience for Filipino fashion practitioners, and to ultimately expand the market for Philippine fashion." More than that, it will also "discuss overseas markets and best practices on a regional and global level" that you can either apply on your own business or use to propel your brand to a regional and global platform.
What can you expect?
For the first installation of the conference, they're focusing on how to create and market your brand in Japan. Teresa Matera, PHx Fashion Conference project adviser, explains in a release, "The Japanese fashion industry turns over sales of approximately US$143 billion. It’s one of the most exciting and most important fashion markets in the world. That’s why it’s also exciting to look into it and see how we can learn from it."
Together with local designers and some speakers from Japan, they thought to create a space where they could culminate and navigate conquering the international stage together. It will "will dive into the Japanese market’s culture and patterns, export costings and pricings, and modes of distribution." The conference will also dive in "how Philippine fashion can create a relevant global presence and how Filipino designers can compete in today’s digitally operated global fashion industry."
Who are the speakers?
The four-day conference will feature a series of workshops, panel discussions, creative talks, and a portfolio review where aspiring designers and entrepreneurs can learn from. PHx Conference speakers include award-winning Australian fashion director and editor Jason Lee Coates, who will be joined by marketing and business administration expert Hirohito Suzuki of H3O Fashion Bureau.
From the Philippines, you can expect a slew of speakers like current president of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines and founder and creative director of Aranaz Amina Aranaz-Alunan, fashion retailer Mike Concepcion, London-trained Filipino fashion designer Carl Jan Cruz, former fashion and lifestyle journalist and co-founder of Tokyo-based skincare brand Damdam, Giselle Go.
Expect to also see DTI-CITEM executive director and former Preview editor-in-chief Pauline Juan, founder and designer of Tokyo-based Filipino clothing and shoe brand JMan, Johann Manas, fashion consultant and former model Teresa Ortiz-Matera, and co-owner and design director for Proudrace, Rik Rasos. 
How much are the tickets?
Interested yet? You can avail two types of passes: the Full Conference Pass (P9500 for students; P11,000 for early birds; P12,500 for regular, and; P50,000 for a group of five) and the Creative Talks Pass (P3500 for early birds; P4500 for regular).
What does a pass get you?
The Creative Talks Pass (November 11) will let you access the following:
1. Creative talks with Carl Jan Cruz (Marketing Fashion in the Digital Age) and Rik Rasos (Accessing Global Markets from Distant Cities Inspiration to Product);
2. Panel discussions on the Philippine fashion scene and its business side.
Meanwhile, the Full Conference Experience will give you access to:
NOVEMBER 11
1. Creative talks with Carl Jan Cruz (Marketing Fashion in the Digital Age) and Rik Rasos (Accessing Global Markets from Distant Cities Inspiration to Product);
2. Panel discussions on the Philippine fashion scene and its business side.
NOVEMBER 12
1. Export Costing Seminar with the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI);
2. Case Study Discussions With Japan-based brand JMAN's Johann Manas and Giselle Go of DAMDAM.
NOVEMBER 13
Japanese Market Access Workshop? where you can learn "about how a brand can successfully build a following and audience in a foreign land."
NOVEMBER 14
1. Portfolio Review (Selected Participants)?
2. Designer Panel Discussion
3. Lifestyle Workshops
4. Fashion Ecosystem Dialogue
You can also visit the Skills & Trade Fair in collaboration with the Philippine Trade Training Center & Philippine Commission on Women.
*This pass is also inclusive of all meals for three days.
Ready to learn? There are only limited slots, so be sure to register here!
