Edwin Ao, Graphics and Media professor of the College of Arts and Sciences in Cebu Institute of Technology and fashion designer, is set to represent the Philippines and showcase his collection entitled, ‘Mutilate’ in the 2010 Asian Designers Collection in Tokyo on March 26, 2010.

The 2010 Asian Designers Collection is a showcase of nine fashion designers from Asian countries and four designers from the New Designer Fashion Grand Prix of Japan. It is part of the week-long celebration of the 10th Japan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010 from March 22- 28, 2010.

“The Japan Fashion Week committee reviewed my portfolio early last year, visited me here in Cebu by mid-November, then confirmed my participation in the event,” narrates Ao of how he was chosen.

In the fashion industry, Ao is known for his ingenious take on deconstruction and fascination for textures, layers, and asymmetry. His latest collection is based on the works of Egon Schiele – a 20th century figurative painter.

The concept is Mutilate, to make imperfect by exercising or altering parts, and aims to seek new uses of common design elements. The color black and beige represents the periods of highs and lows of imperfection and alteration, wherein every garment is represented. The collection confronts the limitations of fashions, wherein new silhouettes will be introduced. It will be in distorted forms, lopsided, asymmetrical lines, voluminous, undulating wavy lines and curve, change in motions and surrealism. The collection presents a tailored approach where each garment is dynamical, undulating, architectural and structured without sacrificing the clothes’ wearability.

Ao has represented the country in two different international competitions before: in Concourse International Des Jeunes Cretuers De Mode (The International Young Fashion Designers Competition) held in Paris, France, 2000; and the Asian Young Fashion Designers contest in Singapore, 2005. He has also contributed his collections in several metrowear series in Manila. He carries the label ‘Guerilla’ in Japan.

Designing since his college days, he credits many of his know-how from his experience working as an assistant for Cebu-based designer Arcy Gayatin.

“Students tend to be very complacent in their studies. To achieve considerable distinction in the [fashion] industry, one must not only have talent, but must also be able to put a lot of hard work and dedication in learning the craft.”, advises Ao.

Professor Ao currently teaches design and color, and visual merchandising for the graphics and media classes in CIT.