Fashion and provocation
The recent Bench Fashion Week (BFW) Holiday 2024 was ignited by the homegrown brands of Suyen Corp., Bench Body and Human. Bench Body, known for its provocative displays, continued to tantalize the crowd with celebrity and foreign models. It was a preview of the wildly popular Bench underwear show that’s reportedly making a comeback later this year.
In contrast, Human offered a more celestial vibe with its outer space-inspired looks.
Bench Body’s fashion shows have historically relied on stereotypical gender roles, often featuring models with idealized physiques.
The audience has come to expect buff male models and women with curvaceous figures, and the inclusion of foreign models and celebrities further reinforces these expectations.
The prevalence of sex appeal and suggestive elements, such as chain accessories on half-naked models, has also been a recurring theme in Bench Body’s shows.
Beyond the expected physical attributes, Bench Body, under the guidance of brand strategist Noel Manapat, emphasized self-expression. Male models confidently strutted the runway in corsets and stiletto boots. Plus-size models confidently flaunted their curves in colored bras, panties and shape wear, promoting body positivity.
Celebrities such as Ina Raymundo and Sunshine Cruz also graced the runway, showcasing their enduring allure in stylish undergarments, worn with Joey Samson’s tulle skirts.
Core collection
To cater to various fantasies, the show featured model Kirk Bondad and influencer Shaun Pelayo, whose macho appeal resonated with the audience as they donned classic briefs. Bikini-clad actress Max Collins and beauty queen Celeste Cortesi, in an orange push-up bra and matching high-waist panty, embodied femme fatale stereotypes with their sultry appearances.
The BFW season finale showcased Bench Body’s core collection of undergarments, including hipsters and briefs for men and wireless and strapless bras and panties for women. The women’s line featured seasonal drops in black and white and nude, done in stretch materials, including sustainable bamboo and trendy orange.
As the press statement noted, “Because it is intimate wear, Bench Body also offers developments in more ways than what is visible to the eye.”
Digital artist Jenni Contreras’ second collaboration with Human took inspiration from the celestial wonders of the moon and the galaxy.
With her fashion design background, Contreras created comfortable streetwear pieces in heavy cotton and neoprene. The trending shade of chartreuse, featured in the shirts, proved to be a popular choice.
The galaxy-printed shirts, with their vibrant mix of colors evocative of diffused clouds in outer space, were particularly appealing. Ditto the T-shirts with prints suggestive of the grooves on the moon. The white long-sleeved shirt and Bermudas with orange piping were also well-received. Contreras explained, “I made the pants baggy, just like the astronauts.’”
