5 March 2014 - Several Filipino designers recently participated in the prestigious fashion trade fair PREMIERE CLASSE which is organized twice a year during Paris Fashion Week.

Two Filipino designers – Bea Valdes (http://www.beavaldes.com) and milliner Harvy Santos (http://www.harvysantos.com/) – made the cut to be among the 350 edgy, high-end fashion designers featured at PREMIERE CLASSE which was held from February 28 to March 3 at the Tuileries Gardens in Paris.

Held simultaneously with PREMIERE CLASSE, THE BOX at the Pavillion Cambon is another fashion trade fair which featured 100 international fashion accessories designers. This season, two Filipino designers – Rafe Totengco (http://www.rafe.com) and Malou Romero (http://www.joanique.com/) – were able to showcase their collections.

Milliner Michelle Dulce (http://www.michdulce.com), who recently participated in WHO’S NEXT, opted to have a private showroom a few steps from the Tuileries Gardens.

During Paris Fashion Week, the world’s most exclusive retailers are also drawn to the trade fairs and private showrooms of designers. It is therefore an achievement to make the cut as an exhibitor and to have one’s own showroom.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rapunzel Acop and Commercial Attaché Vichael Roaring made the rounds to meet the Filipino designers and to see how the Philippine Embassy in Paris could help them gain greater reknown in France. END