In an exclusive interview with MEGA, we learn Ivar Aseron’s avant-garde approach at the Red Charity Gala redefines the essence of textile craftsmanship that moves
Design, by its very nature, cannot find true freedom within the confinements of a rigid box. There is no movement, progress, or liberation. Often, techniques and processes remain confined to the realms of the ordinary and the traditional, shackled by the chains of convention rather than embracing the spirit of liberation. When it does, it sparks, evokes—it flies. Indeed, there comes a moment when design has the power to leave us breathless, and for that, we owe our gratitude to the designers themselves. Now, consider fashion. How can it express itself fully? How can it break free from its restraints? How can it move? Ivar Aseron may know.
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The Red Charity Gala has become a shining beacon, where style and substance intertwine. This year, the 12th edition of the gala promises to be a spectacle like no other, thanks to Aseron, a designer whose ingenuity knows no bounds.
The designer unveils the secrets behind his new collection, which dazzled recently at the Manila Peninsula. Aseron’s partnership with the Red Charity Gala provided him with the creative freedom he needed to thread his trance, a leeway that allowed his avant-garde artistry to shine.
Aseron’s collection, aptly named A Memoir in Motion, captures an aesthetic that is both nostalgic and progressive. It’s a fluid current through time and style, a rhythmic sway to the past while stomping the bold steps of fashion into the future. The collection showcases Aseron’s distinctive creative style, one that’s always pushing the boundaries. He proudly states, “I always try to think out of the box,” and it’s evident in every piece he creates.
The centerpiece of Aseron’s is an astonishing innovation known as the ‘Venetian Blinds’ technique. A designer with a penchant for pushing the boundaries of fashion, he has spent over a decade refining his expertise in the intricate art of the book leaf detail. In A Memoir in Motion, he takes this well-established technique and ventures into uncharted territories, introducing a breathtaking and unconventional method that redefines the very essence of textile craftsmanship.
At first glance, the ‘Venetian Blinds’ technique may evoke images of the iconic window coverings found in Venetian architecture, but the designer’s interpretation is a masterful departure from the ordinary. In this approach, thousands of slender fabric strips, reminiscent of the slats of Venetian blinds, are entwined, pirouetting with minute beads as their partners. The result is a textile interconnectedness that twirls and spins, defying the gravity of convention and challenging the rhythms of traditional fashion.
What’s attractive about the technique is its quality of seemingly perpetual motion. The fabric strips sway and spin in a dance, creating a visual that is spellbinding in and of itself. It’s as if Aseron has managed to capture the essence of perpetual motion, transforming fabric into a kinetic art form that defies the conventional limitations of traditional fashion.
For Aseron, the creative process held some truly memorable moments. He revealed, “I would try them on myself particularly the Venetian Blinds to see how it works on a moving body.” This hands-on approach reflects his dedication to ensuring that his designs not only look incredible but are also practical and wearable. This process unfolds like a grand waltz, with each element gracefully gliding, creating a display that is both ethereal and mesmerizing. The delicate beads serve as partners in this dance, twirling and twining through the fabric strips to maintain the rhythm of the ensemble.
In the world of design, rejuvenating a beloved technique is comparable to finding a renewed, captivating rhythm in a timeless classic. Aseron’s approach goes beyond revisiting; he reinterprets it with a fusion of nostalgia and avant-garde, reminiscent of a contemporary ballet paying homage to the classic while achieving transcendence in a truly remarkable manner. The ‘Venetian Blinds’ technique in A Memoir in Motion is a dance of tradition and innovation. Aseron’s capacity to renew a classical element of design while preserving its core is a testimony to his unique talent. It underscores his unceasing dedication to the art of motion and his role as a pioneering choreographer in the fashion industry.
When asked about the challenges faced with this technique, Aseron admits that every experimentation process has its failures. But when setbacks occurred, he simply started over. But how does one balance such creativity with wearability? Aseron’s secret lies in crafting silhouettes that are relatable, making avant-garde fashion accessible and comfortable.
The Red Charity Gala serves as a transformative platform for change. Aseron envisions his collection as a catalyst for tripling the number of generous sponsors, thereby expanding support for beneficiaries. While he humbly regards his role as one of entertainment, the impact is profound.
Aseron’s ultimate aspiration is for the audience to depart the show with a sense of fulfillment. With A Memoir in Motion, he extends an invitation to all to partake in an experience that goes beyond aesthetics and creativity—a jubilation of charity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to improving the world. In Aseron’s own words, “I want the audience to feel good after the show, and I hope they did.”
Photography: DANIEL TAN
