Vares Jeune x Migs Villanueva: Kiddie clothes made into art

Visual artist and three-time Palanca winner Migs Villanueva recently teamed up with Robbie Santos of Vares Jeune for A Day in the Atelier, a one-of-a-kind collection that was displayed at Art Lounge Manila in Alabang on 6 December.

Various kids' dresses served as a canvas for Villanueva, resulting in a collection of surprisingly sophisticated garments that even adults could wear if the proportions were blown up to fit them. The playful garments were nothing like the cutesy, frilly kids' dresses. But, all any bespoke garments, prices tend to be more expensive. In this case, the pieces ranged from P40,000 to P50,000.

Villanueva, who was under Mauro "Malang" Santos' tutelage, has her own signature style — three dots to depict the eyes and mouth of children's faces. She conveys emotion through body language and the placement of the dots.

Villanueva said it proved to be harder to paint on garments compared to canvas; it took multiple coats to achieve her desired effect. She also needed two to three days to finish painting each garment.

Robbie Santos of Vares Jeune, on the other hand, is no stranger to collaborating with visual artists. Santos' recent fashion show Voyageur featured textile prints by Juvenal Sansó for his Septième Rebelle line. The name Vares Jeune is derived from the designer's middle name (Olivares) and Jeune, the French word for "young."

"When it comes to appreciation for art, it's never too early to start. Likewise, parents can cultivate their kids' sense of style from an early age. This belief is at the core of Vares Jeune's brand philosophy," Santos said.

A Day in the Atelier was a joyful celebration of art, fashion, and childhood meant to enchant grown-ups and kids alike.