There’s classic tweeds and silks associated with stuffy nobility.
There are tried-and-tested reliable pieces for certain occasions: a tux for a black tie affair, or say a bustier and long skirt for balls.
And then there are designs that seemed more destined for catwalks or for powerful fashion statements; designs that the average Joe would find tres ridiculous but somebody with a nose for trends would sniff out.
Bold. Daring. Radical. Sometimes bizarre. Always outrageous. Never boring.
That’s avant garde for you.
Avant gardism started as a political movement composed of angry young Frenchmen out to instigate reforms in the government. Like most movements, the term spilled over the cultural and aesthetic to describe an artistic identity that just simply pushes the envelope and defies definition.
Small wonder then that promising artist and designer Chino Christopherson found himself drawn to THAT style, that bold, daring, unorthodox means of designing.
As a designer, Chino is young – only five years! – but he is already attracting attention as one of those artists to watch out for. His creations are a spectacle by themselves, the kind that fashionistas and trend-setters salivate with eyes glazed over, the kind that is more comfortable in a Milan catwalk.
It’s not for everyone, the avant garde designs, but then not everyone’s fashion tastes could be as progressive, as trendy as one that embraces avant gardism as a lifestyle.
Avant gardism, after all, is all about being ahead of its time. And that is precisely what defines Chino’s masterpieces. His pieces are not for mere mortals. It’s only for the bold, the daring, the truly fashionably hip.
“I really love shapes and manipulating fabrics,” Chino tells DNX, confessing that he even has a fascination for “body modification using clothes”.
Unfortunately, novel ideas don’t usually have a market, not even in Bacolod so Chino ventured into proms and weddings.
“At first, it’s hard to capture the simplicity and the romantic side of my gift but after like five years you learn along the way,” he says. Versatility, after all, is a must for somebody wanting to be marketable.
Because of his considerable talent, his work was used to dress up models in commercials.
That talent also landed him an invitation in Born Brave, a benefit fashion show directed by Rodney Ascalon. The show, which will be on October 12, will be held at the SMX Convention Bacolod.
The event is in collaboration with the office of Bacolod representative Cong. Greg Gasataya, the avowed champion for mental health. Proceeds of the benefit show will go to Youth for Mental Health – Bacolod Chapter, and Happy Hearts Foundation.
He admits he was hesitant to join at first.
“I’ll be sharing the runway with the biggest names in the industry and my seniors here in Bacolod City,” he gushes. But, not one to bow out of a challenge, he accepted the offer. He saw the fashion show as an opportunity to “letting my audience know what is on my mind and what I feel as of the moment” through his fashion and artistic style.
He also believes that mental health “is a very important part of a (person’s) well-being”.
“It’s very necessary to have a healthy mindset and outlook especially in this line of work… always surround yourself with positive people. Express yourself in the way you want, be open, and if things won’t fall according to plan always remember… God will not give you something unless he knows you can overcome it,” he says.
