Bagasao

Designer

Joseph Agustin S. Bagasao

Category

Men’s & Women’s / Ready To Wear and Accessories

Brand information / About the designer

―What inspired you to become a fashion designer? Describe developments leading up to the brand launch.

During my early years as a young boy I often find myself observing my grandmothers way of dressing. From her shoes, purses, embroidered fans I Secretly opened her boxes of custom clothes. All the details were fascinating to me. When I was in 4th grade that was the time I started watching fashion tv and becoming more and more familiar with brands like Gucci, Versace, Ferragamo and Issey Miyake. One night in 2007, I stumbled upon a Dior S/S 2008 couture show and I was stunned from the beauty of the headdress to the height of the shoe they were wearing and by then on my vision to become a fashion designer became clearer and clearer. The desire to be a master of my craft never ended. After finishing a degree in Psychology, I found a way to study fashion design and merchandising with the help of my family. It didn’t stop there; I assisted in fashion shows, took internships, joined different competitions and worked for a Global fashion brand. But all along I never let go of my vision of building my own. In 2015, I decided to start building my brand by myself and started with an 8-piece capsule collection.

―What is the brand’s concept? What do you want to communicate through fashion designing? What are the images of men and women you want to project?

Our brand is based on the concept of Duality and Quiet luxury. Inspired by Modernity and Nostalgia, we aim to create pieces that are functional and can equally connect visually and emotionally to the consumers or patron of fashion and art.

―What is your source of inspiration in creating fashion? What is your process of developing a design concept?

It always starts with something I randomly see or hear. It could be a gray wall, torn shirt, a bag lady, broken roof, a blank canvas or just about anything that makes me feel unguarded. From there, everything else follows. The Music that will go with the image in my head or photos I have collected will blend seamlessly. Then I will usually crave for texture or color which will usually make me go through images I collected through time. I must say that I’m equally visual and emotional. I don’t respond to beauty if it doesn’t make me feel anything.

―Who are your current stockists (areas, retail formats, etc.)? Describe the typical followers of your brand.

Our brand creates relationship with stores or customer that can understand fully our vision and can connect well with everything we create, be it clothes or accessories. They buy not because of the season but because of its design and versatility. They look beyond whats in and whats current.

BAGASÁO is for the learned and subtle. A lover of art, music and design. She never takes design value and quality for granted because she herself is of great quality. They are not follower of trends and fashion, they have a language of their own.

―Which brands, designers, styles and cultures have had the most impact on your fashion designing, and why?

I have always been in awe of minimalism and impressionism. They speak to me more than anything. I am fascinated with the silence they exude and the subtlety that speaks volume. It’s visually freeing.
Dior and Yamamoto are both houses I have always admired. To build a brand that is beyond one’s lifetime and still maintain the DNA from day one. Creating a language known by many but only understood by few is for me the perfect balance. Delpozo, with the creative direction of Joseph Font as well as Haider Ackermann and Yohji Yamamoto are all brands I aspire to be in a store with someday. They have created a distinct mood, look, and language. They were never followers of anything. They create beyond commercialism.

About 2017 S/S collection

―Why have you chosen Tokyo(Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO) as the venue for presenting your collection?

Tokyo has always been one of the fashion capitals of the world and has been known for their impeccable craftsmanship and quality. Being able to do my first show ever in Tokyo is a privilege as I have so much respect for the industry in this amazing city. It represents the best of Asia so it’s the best venue for showcasing our vision.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2017 S/S season?

Our collection is entitled “Scars of Beauty”. It’s about a boy running to get out of the dark forest searching for light. He didn’t mind getting cut, scarred by the thorns, stones and branches because he knows at the end of it all it’s these scars that will make the clear sky much more beautiful.

This season we expressed duality through our fabrics and texture; the colors were from wooden objects by designer Collin Garity that reflects a perfecty somber mood which blends seamlessly with the shapes and lines of the imagery of sea of trees.

―What is your vision for your show / installation?

I imagine the runway to look like seabed of dried and fresh leaves and branches that is covered with ashes and soil creating a visual contrast of colors and textures on the runway that can highlight my collection. With little mists of water that can release the scent of a forest.

Future

―What are your brand’s future outlook and goal?

It is our passion to create so it is in our vision to turn BAGASÁO into a lifestyle brand. A brand equated with quality, craftsmanship and individuality. We are aiming to support and push further the fabric weaving in our country as well as manufacturing.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

Japan, mainly Tokyo represent a distinct language of fashion. A language that can best represents Asia to the world. It speaks volumes about identity, quality and impeccable craftsmanship.

―Which parts / sites of Tokyo do you like most? Why?

Anywhere and everything about Tokyo because its all about the distinct energy it gives. Experiencing Tokyo is not only visually and gastronomically stimulating but it also gives you a strong sense of freedom and self expression.

―What are your favorite / recommended shops (of any genres, e.g. fashion stores, homeware stores, food services), facilities and sites?

Ginza, because of its unique energy.