When designer Chynna Mamawal was first asked by P-pop group SB19 to collaborate on a fashion line, she wasn’t sure if she would do it.
The pandemic made it more difficult to source material – and anyway, her forte was bridal and formal wear. But when she looked up SB19 and got familiar with their journey, she knew she had to work with them.
Together, they worked on a fashion collection inspired by the group’s latest single, “What?” – a song that is, fittingly, about waving one’s flag with pride, which is what both SB19 and Chynna aim to do with their craft.
The collection includes a premium line of sets inspired by each of the SB19 members: Justin, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Pablo. Since its launch on April 24, the line has nearly sold out.
With their first collaboration a success, SB19 and Chynna set their sights on the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23, where SB19 is nominated as Top Social Artist, and where they will be wearing ensembles designed for them by Chynna.
In this Rappler Talk interview, the group and Chynna talk about what it was like to work on a fashion line together in a pandemic, and about bringing Filipino talent to the global stage. This interview was aired live on Rappler’s official Kumu channel (@rapplerdotcom) on May 12. – Rappler.com
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