MANILA, Philippines -- Is the Filipino fashion designer really on his or her way to global recognition?

The likes of Monique Lhuillier, Oliver Tolentino, Rafe Totengco, and Bea Valdez have all made headway in the international scene for their unique creations, providing inspiration to young Filipinos who want to make it big in the fashion world.

But inspiration is just one part. Proper training for the creative and technical rudiments of the trade is the other major aspect. Raffles Design Institute Manila (RDIM) aims to provide the latter.

Opening its first campus in the Philippines, RDIM is part of Raffles Education Corporation Ltd., the undisputed leader for design education in the Asia-Pacific region that currently operates 38 colleges in 34 cities across 14 countries, guaranteeing a learning experience in an international environment.

For instance, academic director Dr. Janet Emmanuel from the United Kingdom guarantees RDIM students a learning experience in an international environment.

“Rather than an educational environment, the Fashion Design programme works more like a design studio. Students will be taught everything they need to know in making clothes properly, from design to sewing, according to couture standard, to prepare them for a billion dollar industry,” Emmanuel, who holds a PhD in Technology, Textiles and Sculpture from Liverpool John Moores University (UK), is the senior lecturer for Fashion Design.

Located at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, RDIM opens its doors to enrollees for its July 2011 intake, offering a two-year, full-time, advanced diploma courses in Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing and Management, Visual Communication (Graphic Design), and Interior Design. Students will also have an option to complete a one-year top-up Bachelor of Design Degree programme at other Raffles campuses in Australia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand.

Fast-track education

RafflesEducationCorp. is the largest design education provider not only in Singapore but also in the Asia-Pacific region. It has produced countless numbers of award-winning students and alumni over the last 20 years.

“Our extensive curriculum equips students with technical skills, and simulates real-life working environment so that students are ready for the real world even before they graduate from the programme,” states Darion Lim, director of RDI Manila. “In fact, we accept students who start from ‘ground zero’, with no previous knowledge of the design fields – we are confident that we can impart the necessary skills that will help them succeed, as long as they have the passion and determination to see it through.”

Students have a flexible, fast track education that allows them to study at their convenience, with intakes in January, April, July, and October each year.

“Mobility is also encouraged – students can opt to study abroad at any of the Raffles Campuses. All the Colleges within the entire Raffles network follow the same academic delivery systems and calendar. They can transfer seamlessly.

No study time is lost, and all prior subjects successfully completed will be recognized,” Lim adds. Raffles has progression agreements with a number of international universities and institutions abroad should Filipino students wish to continue their studies abroad.

Design hotshots

With an AA professional designation degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, USA, Nela San Jose is the only Filipino in the faculty, the lecturer in Fashion Marketing and Management.

“The Fashion Marketing and Management programme focuses on the business side of fashion. This is the course for people who want a career in fashion -- not as a designer, sewer, or stylist, but maybe a fashion marketing manager, buyer, publicist, visual merchandiser, fashion editor, or events organizer,” San Jose explains. “The programme will be highly experiential, with a lot of field research on what’s happening in the industry, and even out on the streets.”

Buz Walker, with a Fine Arts (Graphic Design) degree from the American Academy of Art, has been with the Raffles since 2002, and is the senior lecturer for Visual Communication.

“The Visual Communication programme gives an overall view of the graphic design industry, from meeting clients, creating artwork, and getting paid for their work – everything they need to know to work in the industry,” Walker elaborates. “The first two terms will serve as the foundation course, with both hands-on and mental exercises, moving on to software programs in the next term.”

Finally, Lee Miles, with an MA in Environment Design from the Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication (UK), is the lecturer for Interior Design.

Filipino students welcome the raffles way

Filipino students studying at Raffles campuses abroad are all praises for their Raffles education. Evangeline Lim, an Interior Design student at Raffles Design Institute Singapore, started with zero knowledge. "All I knew was that I wanted to be an wayinterior designer. This school has not only helped me fulfill my dream, but also pushed me to exceed my limitations.”

“The best three years of my life were those spent at Raffles, because I was able to challenge my creativity and showcase it in outstanding multimedia projects,” shares Fil Aquino, a Visual Communication student at the Raffles College of Design and Commerce in Sydney.

Cinderela Chang, an MA Interior Design student at the Raffles College of Design and Commerce in Sydney, credits her school for her self-confidence. “Unlike other colleges, Raffles is not your typical classroom setup. It gives students the chance to participate and further enhance their skills,” Chang says. RDI Manila is currently accepting for its July 2011 intake.

For more information on RDI Manila and its programme offerings, log on to http://raffles-design-institute.com.ph/, or contact RDI Manila at 846-2888 and rdi-manila@raffles-design-institute.com.