“In ready-to-wear, I’m creating a brand that has always been a dream of mine. I just did it the other way around. I started with custom made-to-order pieces because I that’s where I thought my strong suit was. But four years down the road, I realized that it was time to venture out,” said designer Mark Bumgarner on the Davao launch of the Bumgarner Studios.
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| Chimes’ Cindy Yap, designer Mark Bumgarner & Lesley Jane Chan |
The newly-established Bumgarner Studios is the designer’s RTW arm. The brand will carry his signature statement pieces, but will have the versatility of transforming from red carpet to street. It will also carry jewelry, footwear and leather goods.
From the introduction of the flagship store in Greenbelt 5, Chimes Specialty Store in Davao serves as the brand’s second outlet store of the brand in the Philippines. Expanding to Davao will give the locals access to the Bumgarner aesthetics, said the designer.
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| Classic silhouettes in solid solid colors |
“In general, my inspiration is the modern Filipina, classic, feminine silhouettes. Specifically, the Spring/Summer 2019 collection, I developed two prints: a new interpretation of a mainstay print— the flowers, which is a little more abstract and colorful this time; and a more fun and playful beach print, which is an aerial view of the beach with beachgoers and umbrellas,” shared the designer.
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| Fun. Baumgarner Studios beach print |
The Bumgarner Studios, all collections are capsule. It’s not mass-produced and will stay in the stores for two months. Each collection will comprise of three mini collections, so technically, there will be a new collection every month, he said.
“Each collection is very limited. I try to keep it very different with every collection because I want women to incorporate it in their daily wear,” said Bumgarner.
Looking forward, the designer gave me a peek into the two other collections for 2019. The next will be a complete opposite of the current one, the colors will be deeper. And for the Holidays, Bumgarner is developing a new print which is inspired by Filipino culture.
Who shopped first…
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| Debbie Hao |
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| Vanessa Ong & Jen Lim |
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| Darlene Bordalba, Tess Cruz & Elizabeth Unlay |
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| Jean Bangayan with daughter Bethany |
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| Bing Lima & Kathy Bangayan |
Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.
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