Bench to open first store in Okinawa
Filipino clothing brand Bench is finally expanding outside the Philippines and will be opening its first branch in Okinawa, Japan this month. This is the first time that a local fashion brand expands its reach by going overseas.
Despite the challenges that Bench and other local fashion brands are facing because of the surge of international fast fashion brands in the country, Bench founder Ben Chan showed that his brand, which is now on its 30th year, is stronger than ever. Just recently, the brand held its 3-day Bench Fashion Week where it featured some of Bench’s designs, as well as three other independent designers.
Bench will also be holding the Bench Design Awards this year, in search for new talented Filipinos and to give them a platform where they could showcase their works. Three chosen designers will be presenting their collection at the Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo. They will also be receiving mentorship from a Japanese agency Overseas Human Resources and Industry Association (HIDA).
The brand was also a part of the Tokyo Fashion Week last year where it represented the country in its “Asian Meets Tokyo” initiative.
Sources: Inquirer.net, Preen
