Lexter Badana: Designing Confidence and Attitude for Hablon Moda

Ilonggos have always been fashion conscious and up-to-date on the current and ruling styles and trends. And the local fashion industry is constantly acquiring new successes with new designers being introduced or local models making it big in Manila or abroad.  Ilonggo fashion is at its peak during the last quarter of every year when fashion seems to be one of the main priorities among the young generation.

Fashion does not revolve around trends solely.  It is all about looking the best by maintaining a balance between the trends and your unique style. Lexter Baldisimo Badana is one fast-rising fashion designer embodies this idea when it comes to designing.

Badana, 29, from Roxas City Capiz does not have that flamboyant, pretentious, superstar persona so often associated with fashion designers. He comes across as down-to-earth, sincere and really clever.

Badana had a formidable creative and innovative mind for fashion. As a kid, he enjoys designing houses and furniture. His interest in structures and colors eventually led him to designing prom dresses for his friends during his teens. He then had the opportunity of designing the whole entourage for a friend’s wedding. However, the designer considered his mother his most challenging and favourite client.

He had his first solo fashion show during the 5th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair way back 2012 in SM City Iloilo where he featured hablon pieces inspired by the fishing villages in his beloved hometown in Capiz.  His male collection with his lone all-hablon bridal dress was an instant hit among viewers.

Badana describes his style as simply classic and versatile – sometimes sophisticated and casual, other times modern and edgy, or sexy, elegant and fun. His creations always come about from combining influences from music, subcultures, art and lifestyle, rather than following trends.  Badana represents the beauty of the simplicity of things.

The designer always considers his client's needs when I do his designs. He is very particular with fitting and construction instead of embellishments. He believes that nothing is more beautiful than a woman who is comfortable with what she wears. He wants his woman to feel sexy but very classy. A woman who is feels confident when wearing a Badana outfit.

Badana loves challenging himself. He firmly believes that in fashion, your best competition is yourself. Presently he is in Manila taking Patternmaking Courses at Slims Fashion and Arts School.

Lexter Badana will open the 7th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair on October 5 at 5:30 p.m. along with Miagao LGU at 4:30 p.m. October 6 is Ian Jorda at 5:30 p.m.; October 7 will feature a Fiber Parade with the candidates of Miss RPT Amnesty 2014 and Binky Pitogo at 5:30 p.m.; October 8 will showcase the collections of John Montinola at 5:30 p.m.; October 9 at 4:30 will have Hablon Duenasanon by Duenas-LGU; and October 11 at 5:30 p.m. will highlight the collections of Joseph Aloysius Montelibano. The event is brought to you by the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Provincial Tourism Office, SM City Iloilo and DOT-VI and also brought to you by Megaworld Iloilo Business Park, GMA-6 Iloilo and the Daily Guardian.