adobo magazine Issue 64 | Page 125

FASHION DESIGN 124 Francis Sollano doing magic with trash. Francis is a joy to work with, an efficient and strong leader who is able to present creative solutions. -KENNETH COBONPUE, World-renowned Industrial Designer adobo magazine | July - August 2016 appreciate your work so that your countrymen would take notice. “ An exhibition in Taipei and in the US is in the works, “My focus now is to create more art pieces while keeping in touch with our networks. However, I feel that sustaining the relevance of the arts and what I do has to go beyond me as an individual.” Francis works with communities in creating his art pieces and in pushing his advocacies, “I am now working with two social enterprises that does abaca weaving and hand looming from Mindanao and from Western Visayas. Though this is not directly influenced by trashion, it is more about working with organizations that advocate sustainable manufacturing methodologies and promote culture and heritage.” He also feels that working closely with students and young designers will help inspire them, push the momentum and bring a new sense of excitement. Here’s a young guy who, when he got frustrated with the city traffic, let go of his car and decided to walk to his destinations, “I felt that trashion, as an art form, should inspire the youth to create products that respond positively to our environment, and technologies that connect our people more to their habitat.” This guy walks and talks trash. Bravo!