Art Lounge Manila presents “Voyageur”, a celebration of the art and style collaboration with Fundacion Sansó X Septième Rebelle.
Art Lounge Manila is not your typical art gallery. Since they opened their eye-catching space at The Podium Mall, they’ve specialized not only in creating novel experiences for their clients, but in introducing fine art and Filipino culture to a wider audience.
By opening its new flagship location in Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, Art Lounge Manila is returning to its roots. The gallery is part of the Galerie Francesca Group, which opened its first branch in Festival Mall Alabang 17 years ago. “Although our clients come from far and wide, we consider the south to be our home and where the roots of our galleries really are,” explains Susanne Tiausas, managing director of Art Lounge Manila. “We were proud to be part of a group of galleries who were the first ones to open up a space in the south.”
“We want to entertain, educate, and enrich those who enter our spaces”, continues Tiausas, “Basically we want to give the experience of learning from a visit to the museum and the entertainment from watching a live performance and just interacting with art and culture but in a more accessible and less intimidating space. This is also the reason why we opt to be located in more commercial areas such as malls.”
Given their penchant for combining various art forms, it is fitting that Art Lounge Manila would mark the opening of their flagship location in Molito Lifestyle Center with a fashion show. Titled “Voyageur”, it showcases designs by Robbie Santos of Septième Rebelle using the textile prints of Presidential Merit Awardee Juvenal Sansó.
Before making a name as a master painter, Sansó created textile designs for fashion houses such as Balenciaga. Having just graduated from the École Nationale des Beaux Artes in Paris, he had the foresight to know that immediately competing with European artists for a slot in an art gallery would have been counterproductive. As an artist, he had a fresh take on colors, patterns, and materials. His designs consisted of abstract geometrics, florals, and other botanicals. He also incorporated freer splashes of color reminiscent of abstract expressionism—a movement that was currently in vogue in America.
“We have to remember that America was the new and biggest textile market after the war, and the biggest new segments of consumers were women at home, and the youth,” explains Ricky Francisco, director of Fundación Sansó. “Perhaps those were the intended market of the florals and the geometrics. But all in all, with the color and loosely recurring patterns, we see a shift in lifestyle—a leisure-loving new market which prefers youthful color and freedom of expression. Working with Robbie Santos, we found out that many of the patterns [Sansó] made could still be sourced in today’s textiles, proving the timelessness of his designs.”
Working in the fashion industry allowed Sansó to expand his network. It was during this phase of his career that he met Elsa Schiaparelli. The iconic designer introduced Sansó to Galerie Lucie Weill, who gave him his first solo exhibition. In the end, his strategy of starting out in fashion paid off.
As a fashion designer with an appreciation for fine art, Robbie Santos feels a certain kinship with Sansó. Voyageur is his second collection to feature the renowned painter’s textile prints. As part of the collaboration, Fundacion Sansó decided which of Sansó’s prints would be translated onto fabric. Santos then based his designs on the selected prints. Sansó’s studies of geometric and floral-printed fabrics inspired Santos to look for similar textiles as well.
As the name of the collection suggests, Santos takes inspiration from the revenge travel phenomenon. Hence, the pieces are designed for ease of movement. “A lot of pieces are easy to wear—just put over your head like a T-shirt,” Santos explains. “It’s like a deluxe resort collection—cotton blends for men and soft tailoring for women.”
Because Sansó’s work was made in the ‘50s and early ‘60s, Santos makes use of the same classic feminine silhouettes of the era—A-line, flared, and serpentina skirts, plus the profuse use of ruffles and flowers. “Despite having a timelessly elegant approach, I wanted to offer something new—bra tops, tank tops, T-shirts for the young market,” Santos says. “I also used an embroidery machine to sew ‘Sansó’ as a brand on the pants. This is my take on today’s logo-obsessed culture. The cuts on the pant leg are new—and so is the absence of belt loops! One has to fully examine a piece of clothing to see the details we have put in them.”
Voyageur, a celebration of art and style, will have its Artist’s Reception and Runway Show on June 15 at 6:00 PM at Art Lounge Manila Molito. The gallery has many more exciting exhibits and collaborations in store for art lovers. We really want to showcase all the different art forms like dance, music, theater, literature. We aim to create experiences where one or more (or all) of these different art forms interact with one another in a way that breathes new life into each art form and really gives our clients and audiences a well rounded experience of art & culture,” says Tiausas.
Art Lounge Manila plans on holding more shows and events that not only showcase art but support different advocacies as well. “Art is such a great medium with which to communicate advocacies and promote charitable institutions. Art can not only make our individual lives better by bringing beauty and joy, but in this manner it can also tangibly and significantly make a difference,” Tiassus says.
Voyageur is on display at Art Lounge Manila, Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang from June 15 until June 28, 2022. Jewelry featured at the photo shoot and fashion show are from Riqueza by Erica Concepcion-Reyes. Set design created and supervised by creative genius, Vince Uy. Music at the event was mixed by DJ Mike Lavarez. Hair and makeup was done by Karen Tan and Team. Mannequins on loan from luxury fashion distributor Noble House brought form to the entire collection. The 50 looks were segmented based on the color palette juxtaposed the actual paintings of Sansó. Coordinating on the event and publicity details were handled by IMPRINT Media Group of Tedrick Yau and Patricia Barcelon. The fashion photos were shot by Erwin Canlas while the event photographer was Norman Lleses. Video shoot and production by Howwwl Digital of Niccolo Cosme.
For inquiries, please call 09778398971 or 09989937963 or email info@artloungemanila.com. Follow us on our social media accounts @artloungemanila on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
For updates on our upcoming shows, log on to https://artloungemanila.com.