FASHION
DESIGN
Fashion that’ s‘ trashy’ and trendy. FRANCIS SOLLANO makes a global mark with his own version of trash-couture.
123 words IRMA MUTUC
Photos courtesy by Francis Sollano, Sigrid Ponce, Christine Cueto
Elegantly put, trashion is art-couture and a sub-genre of found art. Simply put, it’ s upcycling or making avantgarde fashion from trash. The rise of environmentalism and innovation( and possibly, Lady Gaga) pushed trashion into the fashion limelight, and in poverty intervention projects throughout Southeast Asia.
There’ s not much one hears about trashion so it was surprising to find out that Francis Sollano, a Cebu-based artist, has been making waves globally through his creations. Sollano is a global shaper( awarded by the World Economic Forum) and currently the Executive Director of Youth for Livable Cebu( YLC): a platform for the youth and communities to find creative solutions towards
TRAFFIC BREEDS TRASHION The frustrated fashion designer seems to have been interested in trashion as a child when he fashioned trinkets from candy wrappers. But his a-ha moment was in 2012 while trapped inside his car in traffic during a flash flood,“ I realized that it would make a bold statement to use garbage to make something fashionable.” With the strong influence of mentor Kenneth Cobonpue, his experience made him lean towards the tastefully refined or luxurious in feel while still keeping his work organic and unexpected.
Sollano recalls his work being beset with hiccups. While there were others who were into it, no one was doing it on the same scale as he was,“ Now it’ s different, specially with Emma Watson using the word‘ trash’ to refer to her recent MET gala outfit.” He feels vindicated.
TRASH-PIRATION He gets his materials from the garbage barrels of local businesses: plastic bottles from Handuraw Café, scrap fabrics from Jeca Garments and shopping bags from Body & Sole spa. He calls this“ curating trash;”“ It’ s like having a shopping spree ― at the garbage dump! It’ s a circular approach to sustainability.” A win-win situation. His creation process is never linear,“ When a material is handed to me, I wouldn’ t know what to do with it at first. There is a lot of manipulation. I have to experiment until there’ s that‘ kick’ that tells me what works best with what.”
Inspiration comes to him at random: from the graceful flight of butterflies to the captivating scenery of petals fleeting in a whirlwind. This results in the organic and mundane feel in his creations, which communicates his love for nature.
MORE GLOBAL THAN LOCAL Francis has had three international exhibitions and has been showcased in London, New York, Singapore, Tokyo, yet has never exhibited in the Philippines. In 2014 he was poised to have a mini solo exhibit in his hometown( Cebu) but they cancelled on the day of the opening,“ I was devastated. Thankfully, my mentor, Ditta Sandico, kept my spirits up. He remembers, Kenneth Cobonpue, his other mentor, lament,” It needs a Brad Pitt to
July- August 2016 | adobo magazine