The entire experience was very magical and eye-opening because we were in another environment — an international scene where arts is relevant and part of the people’s lives

“I Feel Left Out,” a fashion sculpture by the creative duo.

The independent experimental and emerging local brand HA.MÜ, known for its up-cycled deconstructed garments, textured patchworks and thread-works, and distinct play on colors and layers, has seamlessly blurred the lines between fashion and artwork.

After years of defining its avant-garde characteristic in show pieces and unique RTW collections, the trademark found its new stage in the Paris, France, the home of among the finest art and cultural venues, showcasing some of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

HA.MÜ joined the impeccable line-up of over 50 visual artists, creators, fashion designers, tattooists and musicians from Dhaka, Lagos, Mexico City, Tehran and Manila at the “City Prince/sses,” a three-month exhibition that presented an imaginary and complex city made up of unpredictable and thought-provoking artworks housed in Palais de Tokyo in the City of Lights, one of the largest museums dedicated to contemporary art.

Design duo Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, the creative geniuses behind HA.MÜ, both finished Fashion Design and Merchandising in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

For this show, they put off the concept of wearability and fully embraced clothing as artistic expression. “We just focused on our own processes as designers, which are very messy in a way. We are doing purely fabric sculpture, which really defines HA.MÜ,” they stated. “It does not necessarily have to be wearable all the time. We also like to challenge the idea that fashion is also a form of art — but in the form of movement.”

Despite marking their own style with the local industry, the design pair admitted that the Paris exhibition came as a surprise. “It all happened in a flash. We did not believe it at first because it was too good to be true. The entire experience was very magical and eye-opening because we were in another environment — an international scene where arts is relevant and part of the people’s lives,” they beamed.

Also represented the Philippines together with HA.MÜ were award-winning artists to include Dina Gadia, Pow Martinez, Dex Fernandez, Urban Decay Planning, Leeroy New, Timmy Harn and Rasel Trinidad (aka Doktor Karayom).