Putting Pizazz in Davao City's Fashion Scene

On Facebook and Twitter, I meet a lot of interesting people engaged in industries that are outside of my comfort zone. Some become clients, some simply business associates.

Without a doubt, most remain friends who continue to enrich both my life and my marketing career.

Through my Facebook, I recently met Gerry Munda and his wife, Christine Dumatol Munda. They moved back to Davao City, Gerry's roots, after spending 30 years in Manila.

Together, they set up Davao's first and only fashion school, Fashion Institute of Design and Arts (FIDA).

Gerry is a banker by profession while Christine used to be with SOFA-Manila and was involved with Project Runway Philippines. It was always Christine's dream to set up a fashion school that would help enhance the fashion design skills of upcoming fashion designers. Moving back to Davao made that dream come true as they set up FIDA.

Dedicated to providing comprehensive fashion education to Davao City and Southern Philippines, FIDA is Davao City's answer to NYC's Parsons and Manila's SOFA. FIDA is the school to go to in Davao if you are interested in developing your fashion design skills or determined to further hone your fashion design craft.

In the past, FIDA brought in noted fashion illustrationist, Danilo Franco, who held a seminar/workshop on fashion illustration. Model Marina Benipayo also held a workshop on basic modeling.

And so it was that I met Gerry on my Facebook fan page, The Marketing Girl.

We met for dinner and it was funny how that dinner came about. Davao is notorious for its No Smoking city ordinance. I told Gerry and Christine that we should have dinner in a place that had a smoking area. We ended up at this Legaspi Suites place where, amidst a rather strong drizzle, we dined on way too much food.

Then again, it wouldn't be me if I didn't eat a lot. Yes, that's how I scare potential clients: by ordering too much food in the rain.

Good ideas often come from the oddest places and circumstances. While wading through my dinuguan and munching on its accompanying puto, I thought the place looked cool enough to be a fashion show venue.

And --- voila!

On January 22-23, 2010, FIDA will hold its fashion immersion at Paseo de Legaspi showcasing the collection of Gerry Katigbak.

One of the best moments in marketing is when an idea becomes a reality. Watch FIDA's fashion immersion, a show that was inspired by rain, laughter, a bowl of soup and The Marketing Girl's dogged determination to find a smoking place in Davao City.

FIDA is located at 544 Ricardo St., Juna Subd., Matina, Davao City. You can call them at + 63.82.3043007 or + 63.923.7039696 (mobile). Look for Faye. FIDA is open from Mondays thru Fridays (9:30am to 6pm) and on Saturdays (9:30am-12 noon).

No, this is not a sponsored post.

Photo credit: FIDA Facebook fan page

Labels: Davao, Davaoeños, fashion marketing, The Marketing Girl

Marketing Confessions of Sunny whispered 2:49 PM
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Comments:

hey there sunny! thank you so very very much for the idea and the post. we really wish you could be here with us.

just a clarification from christine on her involvement with project runway phils: she was academic director at SOFA when their marketing team forged the tie-up with prp, she would not want to take any credit for bringing the project to the school nor having taken an active part in it at all. the local press in davao picked that up erroneously- which is probably where you got it. best to clear it lang. =)

we'll send you pictures of the event soonest - and of faye trying out a GK outfit...hehe ;-)

# posted by  Gerry Munda : Tuesday, January 19, 2010

 

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