Fashion meets protection at IRAbel’s The Mask Revolution Photo Contest
Capture, Create, and Share! This is what Filipino fashion designer Ira Baylon opted for his audience to do as they squeeze their creative juices in his The Mask Revolution Photo Contest.
He’s the man behind the IRAbel masks, which started when a friend’s creation sparked something in him in social media and gave him inspiration.
“My mother, who is also inclined towards arts and fashion, was astounded with my friend’s work, which led her to asking for the mask’s pattern. From there on, my mother and I spend out time together in creating our own inabel face masks out from cutouts and excess fabrics which was used during a fashion show in Manila last year.”
Masks from Ilocos
Initially, these masks made from simple fabric from Ilocos were made to be distributed among frontliners in their barangay as well as their relatives and friends. He didn’t expect it will gain clout and recognition when he shared about it online.
“From my post, I unexpectedly received positive feedback from friends and other people, commenting and inquiring for the price of masks. What’s even surprising was the time when a reporter from ABS-CBN asked me to feature my story and creation, by posting an article for it. For a moment, it circulated online and it reached more people. That was the start of the expansion of IRAbel masks.”The COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for a new era around the world. Wearing of mask has become mandatory. Whether we like it or not, our actions are now limited and bounded by guidelines in the new normal.
New face of fashion and protection
As for Ira, while we can’t do anything about it, we can choose to live with this new normal, traditionally and elegantly. This is the start of his mask revolution, which he describes as the new face of fashion and protection.
He recently launched a photo contest showcasing face masks worn in different forms.
IRAbel | The Mask RevolutionThe IRAbel masks, which I call my inabel-made face masks, started when a friend’s creation caught my attention in social media. He posted his inabel face masks online, which eventually gave me the idea of this mask revolution. Indeed, it was solely an inspiration. My mother, who is also inclined towards arts and fashion, was astounded with my friend’s work, which led her to asking for the mask’s pattern. From there on, my mother and I spend out time together in creating our own inabel face masks out from cutouts and excess fabrics which was used during a fashion show in Manila last year. At first, the inabel masks we have created were only distributed to frontliners in our barangay as well as our relatives and friends. Being financially distressed at that time because of the temporary postponement of events and cancellation of several occasions, I tried to post my masterpieces online. From my post, I unexpectedly received positive feedback from friends and other people, commenting and inquiring for the price of masks. What’s even surprising was the time when a reporter from ABS-CBN asked me to feature my story and creation, by posting an article for it. Also, it was featured in a broadcasting center. For a moment, it circulated online and it reached more people. That was the start of the expansion of IRAbel masks.The simplicity of the inabel fabric is retained as seen in my masks. I didn’t want to put any other ornaments and embellishments to maintain the purity or natural beauty of this intricate and labor-intensive fabric. I want to showcase my talent and further promote this traditional Ilokano fabric so I used my connections and asked for the help of photographers and models. At present, I initiated a photo contest for professional and amateur photographers, in connection to the IRAbel masks, throughout the country. I want to tell people, through my masterpiece, that inabel masks can be both protective and stylish, ready to wear anytime and anywhere. The start of the pandemic has started some sort of a new era, globally. Wearing of mask has become mandatory. Whether we like it or not, this is the new normal now. In a snap of a finger, everyone can change. While we can’t do anything about it, we can choose to live with this new normal, traditionally and elegantly. This is the start of the mask revolution, the new face of fashion and protection.#IRAbel #TheMaskRevolution #INCFAD
Posted by Ira Baylon on Sunday, June 14, 2020
Ira said that this will benefit his friends in the industry who are struggling for income in this trying situation, “Ang purpose po nito ay para mabigyan din ng tulong ang mga photographer friends namin sa event industry na affected ng pandemic. Half of the participants ay nakasama ko na sa mga weddings, tapos yung mga iba ay nag comply sa advertisment.”
As of now, 36 contestants all the way from Metro Manila
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Camarines Sur, Pangasinan, Abra, Cavite have joined and sent their entries.
Of course, awesome cash prizes ranging from PHP2,000 to PHP10,000 await the winners!
Their works will be analyzed by a set of talented judges including Ronald Macatulad, Ernie Mangoba, and our very own Josh Austria, PR and Advertising Manager of Village Pipol Magazine.
Best of luck to the finalists!
