Campus Fashionista: Not your ordinary search

By Wein P. Gadian

At first glance, one would think it's just a typical teen idol or a pageant-type search.

With a mix of different ethnic looks from Caucasian looking to classic Pinoy beauty to the avant-garde exotic look.

Model search is different from beauty search.

Though both may require beauty and body, models focus more on the body structure, projection, walk, height and uniqueness.

There is always a "model look" or "model body," such that not all beauty queens could be models as well as models to be beauty queens.

The trend in the fashion world of mixing a mélange of beauties in the stylish fashion perception of designers has inspired Ilonggo designers in a model search.

Robinsons Place Iloilo redefines Ilonggo beauty in Campus Fashionista Model Search where 300-plus bodies and faces went into three preliminary screening.

And were narrowed to about 15 on each screening.

The screening involved a real fashion show where applicants get a firsthand experience to be involved in a real Fashion show.

The contenders were exposed to various stylists, hair&make-up teams, directors, product managers and insider people.

For the 3 preliminary screenings, only 24 were chosen, with 12 males and 12 females. Judges for each screening were chosen based on their involvement and capacity in the modelling world and a resident judge representing Robinsons Place Iloilo.

The finalists were judged according to their body structure, beauty, x-factor, model look, projection, stage presence, walk, height and uniqueness.

The finalists will have their final competition on May 6, 2005 at the Fountain of Robinsons Place Iloilo.

Campus Fashionista is directed by Sol Fernandez and Don Protasio with

Ms. Robinsons 2004 Diane Clyde Clavero will host the event while Rofel John Parreño who will be the tabulator.

Make - up artist Nonoy Mosquera will take care of the male models,

Rene Delotavo for females.

Bo Parcon will be designing the evening/formal wear; renowned designer Frederick Peralta will design the summer wear and other clothing sponsors.

Competition sponsors are Robinsons Department Store, Picture City, Jaki Peñalosa, Anglette Borja-Ragus and Bo Parcon of the Designers' Guild of Iloilo, Bayo, Nonoy Mosquera and his team for the make-up, Rene Delotavo, Levi's, Adidas, Sunsilk shampoo, Moby Hotdog, Linda's Garden, Close Up, Axe, ACSI Business and Computer School, Reasons Bar & Resto, Paseo Ysabel Bar & Grill, Pepsi, Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Pizza Hut, Chaiz Café, Gyzer Purified Drinking Water, Ichi Pichi, Four Season Hotel, amigo Terrace Hotel, Villa Regatta, Tibiao Bakery, Afrique's and Mang Inasal.

The event will definitely be an edgy glam competition.

The winners will be judged by Concours Internationale des Jeune Creatur du Mode Paris and Fashion Design Council of the Philippines member; designer Frederick Peralta; Ms. Model of the World, FTV Best Model Philippines and Elite Model Philippine representative Ria Bolivar; hilippine Daily Inquirer society columnist Maurice Arcache; Robinsons Land Corporation Ad&Promo Director, Eunice Gonzalez; and Robinsons Land Corporatuion General Manager Cornelio S. Mapa.

Winners will receive a cash of P10,000, a mobile phone, a camera, and gift certificates from Levi's, Blue Tab, Adidas, and a full scholarship from ACSI for the Campus Fashionista of the year.

Runners up will receive cash prizes of P5,000 each and gift cheques from the same sponsors.