Fashion and art will always blend well together. I’ve been there since the first time Freeway Art launched their National Artist Collector’ Series (NACS) and I have seen how wonderful works of our country’s pride and national artist was put to life into wearable piece of art so that the younger generation could appreciate it once again. For the 8th installment of the Freeway Art NACS and Freeway’s Holiday 2012 Collection, our National Artist for Painting Carlos “Botong” Francisco is featured .
The 25 piece collection consists of beautiful tailored dresses in woven poplins and soft materials like chiffon, a range of silhouettes of casual and corporate tops, plus fave gift items like accessories, watch, tote bags and more. Freeway Art x Botong Francisco is now out in stores.
Here’s a preview of what the collection looks like as captured from the mini-fashion show during the launch event held at Glorietta 1 where the new The Row store is located:
The event was hosted by Ms. Cherrie Gil and Ms. TingTing Cojuanco who is also the chairman of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. As always, the event was attended by fashion and lifestyle bloggers and members of the press.
Incidentally , there is be a series of events to celebrate the 100th year of Botong Francisco’ life which was organized by the Angono Artists Association, Ayala Museum, Blanco Family Museum, Botong Francisco Family, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Freeway: National Artist Collectors Series, Lopez Museum, Municipality of Angono, Museo ng BSP, Museum Foundation of the Philippines , Philippine Art Awards, SM Malls, University of Santo Tomas, UP Vargas Museum and Yuchengco Museum. You can email at botong100@gmail.com for program updates or check out Facebook: Carlos “Botong’ Francisco Centennial.
Botong was the second Filipino to receive the title of National Artist in Painting, after Fernando C. Amorsolo. He was one of the first Filipino modernists who revolutionized art and deviated from Fernando Amorsolo’s romanticism of Philippines scenes. His great works include Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa Bukid, Sandugo, Portrait of Purita, The Invasion of Limahong, Serenade, and Muslim Betrothaland the famed “Nose Flute” which set auction record of P27.8 million and is now owned by a private Indonesian collector.
Thank you Freeway for making traditional art come to life again and thank for this lovely tote bag and mouse pad with a print of Botong Francisco’s art work
Stay gorgeous everyone!
