Philippine Fashion Week kicks off in Toronto

Toronto -Members of the Toronto’s Filipino community participated in the first Phillipine Fashion Week at Nathan Phillips Square Wednesday to celebrate the 115th Filipino Independence Day ceremony.

Executive Director and Founder of the Phillipine Fashion Week, Jeff Rustia, came up with the idea of Phillipine Fashion Week after his son, Kol, recently passed away from an illness.

All proceeds from the festival will benefit the Kol Hope Foundation for Children. The organization – named after his late son – tries to help sick children in both Canada and the Philippines.

And some designers from the Philippines travelled to Toronto to be a part of the event. One of those designer’s is Roland Alzate who says he has been waiting for a chance to share their fashion talent with Torontonians.

Toronto-based fashion designer Noel Cristomo told Global News he is honoured to participate in the first Philippine Fashion week. He added that while he has been living in Canada for 20 years, he has enjoyed the opportunity to honour his heritage through fashion by becoming involved with the event.

The event is also drawing well-known Canadians.

Miss Universe Canada Riza Santos, whose family has ties to the Phillipines, joined the event as a model in some of the fashion shows. Riza said she is honoured to be helping the Kol Hope Foundation while being given the chance to connect with her own heritage.