At the intro to my Project 52, I mentioned that I went to the Fashion Institute of the Philippines to learn how to sew but never actually finished. By some interesting twist of fate, I was given the rare opportunity to go back to fashion school – a different one this time – and walk away with a certificate from my field of my choosing.
Several weeks ago, Jessica Tan-Gan of Tan-Gan sent me an e-mail after reading my article on fashion schools in the Philippines. She told me that the Tan-Gan fashion house recently embarked on a new project called The Tan-Gan Designer Fashion Workshops, a series of short courses taught by industry leaders with a passion for molding the next generation of designers. The workshops are fairly extensive, ranging from a complete fashion design module to a course in fashion styling. The classes are very hands-on and practical so that students will be exposed to the realities of working in the fashion industry. I saw on their Facebook fan page that students of the Fashion Styling class actually styled the Bench, Human, and Keishika shows at Philippine Fashion Week. How awesome is that?!
What grabbed my attention was the faculty. The courses will be taught by (among many others) Lulu Tan-Gan, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Joey Samson, Jojie Lloren, and Manila’s Prince of Fashion himself, Inno Sotto! This is a rare opportunity to learn from the biggest names in the local fashion industry. The other thing that caught my eye were the tuition fees, which are quite reasonable. The Basic Pattern Flat Drafting, Draping, Creative Exercise in Sewing, and Fashion Styling workshops cost P9,600 each for 8 Saturdays, whereas the complete Fashion Design Module costs P20,000 for 8 Saturdays. All classes will be held at STI Center of the Arts in Bonifacio Global City.
The summer leg of the Tan-Gan Designer Fashion Workshops just ended, but enrollment for their June-July-August sessions is currently ongoing. I’ll be taking the Fashion Styling workshop and I’m very excited about it! My only experience with fashion styling was at the Promod contest;other than that I don’t even mess around with Polyvore or Looklet. I don’t know if the fashion workshop will open doors to a new career as a stylist (I hope it does) or if I’ll even be good at it, but I love learning new things just the same and I’m looking forward to the first day of school.
For more information on the Tan-Gan Designer Fashion Workshops, check out the article I wrote about it at The POC. You can also call STI Center of the Arts at 994-5592 or 0918-8031322; send an email at stifashionworkshops@gmail.com; or visit the website at www.sti.edu/fashion.
Let’s be classmates?
Wah I should’ve read this earlier! I actually wanted to enroll in their styling classes (I miss styling classes!) but I balked at enrolling since I planned on resigning from my full time work, I may not have enough after it. I’m curious how they’re going to be different from my SOFA experience.
Aww that’s too bad! Well if you change your mind, I think they’re still accepting students. Sayang yung discount though!
Ohhh, how much was the discount? Cos when I checked out their prices online, it’s either 9600 or 8k+, I think, so I don’t know where the 10% discount applies. From their FB page they say the dc is only til today…boo. I wish I had you as a classmate! It’s always better to be with someone you know in those classes. I was also thinking that it might be ideal to enroll near the end of year since there are a whole lot of fashion events then, so I might enroll for the next batch. Should really decide this week (cos if I’m going to resign anyway, might as well go back to school again)!
8k is the discounted fee. Enroll naaaaa! You’re right, it’s totally better if you’re with someone you know. :D