Fashion Makes Dreams a Reality: The Philippines

A heritage department store in downtown Tokyo.

One popular retailer on the fashion floor is this brand, launched in 2020.

All items are produced with a focus on sustainability.

The brand was founded by Nishigawa Ayumi.

Take this tulle skirt and bag.

They use fabric made 100%
from recycled plastic bottles.

So does this black dress.

But the white and beige versions
use surplus fabric from other brands.

We upcycle that to make dresses.

And Nishigawa's brand has another distinctive feature.

These hoodies and shirts are embroidered with designs based on drawings by Filipino children,

depicting their dreams for the future.

Besides running her fashion brand, Nishigawa is also the director of Dear Me,

an NPO that works with underprivileged youngsters in the Philippines.

One core initiative is a kids' fashion show in Manila.

Giving children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to take to the catwalk

helps them face the future with positivity.

Having organized the inaugural event in 2015 as a college student,

Nishigawa now hosts one every year.

Models walk down the catwalk
with pride and confidence.

I want the kids to face life, and build
toward their dreams the same way.

And that's why I host these shows.

Nishigawa's fashion brand also began as a way to sustainably fund her support for children in the Philippines,

and provide employment opportunities for former show participants.

This time on Sharing the Future,

we see how the power of fashion is making dreams a reality in the Philippines.

Quezon is a major city in Metropolitan Manila.

And Payatas is one of the area's poorest districts.

September 2022.

And Nishigawa Ayumi is here from Japan to prepare for a fashion show next spring.

She's joined by her NPO's locally-based General Manager, Komura Moe.

Along with several college students, who have also made the trip from Japan.

Student volunteers make up the core of the NPO's personnel.

They arrive at the local office of KnK,

an NGO providing educational support for underprivileged children.

The organization has assisted with the fashion show since its first instalment in 2015.

KnK's local team is led by Helen Estrada.

And they've already gathered around 20 children for next year's fashion show.

These youngsters from Payatas will be joined by others,

supported by KnK teams and other NGOs in different areas of the city.

Thank you so much for coming today.

Thank you, thank you!

Nishigawa and the team encourage participants to design their own garments to wear on the catwalk.

This is a newer side to the initiative,

introduced three years ago to increase youngsters' own input.

My favorite color is pink.

And I put a flower at the top.

It's a long, black dress.

And I added some details
using silver ribbon.

The kids' individual personalities
really come through in their designs.

That's fun to see, and they show what
the kids want to wear and express.

So we want to reflect that in the show.

Student volunteers measure the children and record their sizes.

The final outfits will be made from donated garments,

customized and adapted to match the children's own designs.

Wherever possible, Nishigawa joins KnK staff to visit participants' homes in person.

And this gives her a better grasp of the lifestyle challenges they face.

This is the home of 16-year-old Zyra.

The family make their living by collecting and selling waste materials.

This year will be Zyra's first time on the catwalk.

Was the pandemic tough?
Did it affect your school and work?

It was hard, as we had no savings.

At times we had just one or two
meals per day, or none at all.

How do you feel about your daughter
taking part in our fashion show?

I'm happy for her to be doing
what she wants to do.

I'm happy to be modelling
for the first time.

And I'm looking forward to joining in
with everyone in our own outfits.

Next, they head down these narrow alleyways to the home of 8-year-old Jessamay.

The family is supported by her father's work as a truck driver.

And Jessamay loves singing and dancing.

Are you looking forward to being a model?

I'm really happy.

I think it's a great thing for kids to do.

It helps them get used to feeling
confident being in front of people.

In fact, Jessamay's older brother is also a former fashion show participant.

It was fun to model with everyone.

I made a lot of new friends.

And I'm very proud to see my
little sister taking part, too.

Nishigawa sees the fashion shows as a potential boost to the children's development.

As a college student, Nishigawa Ayumi spent time backpacking around the world,

and also got into street fashion photography.

To economize on her travel, she stayed mainly in less-well-off areas,

and it was those experiences that gave rise to the fashion show concept.

I met all these kids with few clothes,
or only very raggedy ones.

I'd loved fashion from an early age.

And maybe I took being able to choose
what to wear each day for granted.

But those experiences taught me
that wasn't the case for everybody.

So next, I began to think that I wanted
to create a chance to enjoy fashion.

And share that with children whose
circumstances didn't let them do that.

I wanted to help them picture their
dreams and feel positive for the future.

That's why we chose a fashion show
instead of material support.

With the Philippines home to a high number of children living in poverty,

Nishigawa approached almost 30 local NGOs with the idea of working together.

But as a college student with no track record of such activities,

she struggled to find any takers.

That was until she met Helen Estrada of KnK,

which is itself the local branch of a Japanese NGO.

KnK Japan introduced Ayumi-san, so we trusted Ayumi.

She's so young, kind, and also a good follower.

She follows our policies.

Because before, we thought that: "They are Japanese, maybe they are just using our children," but no.

Nishigawa worked with Estrada's team to recruit local children, and in February 2015,

they held their first fashion show in the hall of a nearby university.

Nishigawa and her friends funded the event by pooling their earnings from part-time work,

while garments were supplied by a Japanese apparel brand.

And year by year the show has established itself among the local community,

attracting extra donations that have allowed it to grow in scale.

I think their fashion show helps a lot of children boost their self-confidence.

Also their education, and uplifting their self-worth.

Nishigawa is joined by Dear Me General Manager, Komura Moe, on a visit to a facility in Quezon.

They head in to the largely empty interior.

This is actually the planned site of a free fashion school being opened by Nishigawa

to coincide with next spring's fashion show.

The aim is to get graduates into work
with a fashion brand we run locally.

With education and opportunities
in roles like design and sewing.

We hope fashion can give that platform.

And that this can help young people
provide for their families.

Today, they are hosting a seminar for local young people and parents with an interest in the school.

The first year will see 10 places for students aged 16 and above.

The two-year course will see them learn skills like design and machine sewing,

along with business skills, and a grounding in the sustainable values, that underpin Nishigawa's fashion brand.

In our school, we want to make the society better with fashion.

And also, we want to make an environment where everyone can make an effort for their dreams.

One attendee today is 17-year-old Alyssa, a former fashion show participant.

At the age of 10, she took part in the show's very first installment.

And she went on to join every year until the age of 15.

It was to provide opportunities for young people like Alyssa,

that Nishigawa launched her brand and this fashion school.

As a child, I was very shy.

I didn't know how to interact with other people. I didn't know how to express myself.

Taking part in the fashion shows
taught me how to express myself.

It gave me confidence in myself.

Because I saw that the other
children were just like me.

Back in Japan.

It's October 2022, and Nishigawa is in the northern Tohoku region

to visit the factory of a clothing manufacturer, that is supporting her new fashion school.

The firm is known for its craftspersonship and ethical approach.

Nishigawa is here to see their fabric storeroom.

But why?

Here's where we keep leftover fabric
that we're unable to use.

All this fabric here and over there?

We try, but some waste is inevitable.

And trends are another issue.

We have lots of fabric from one season
that is out of fashion the next.

And all this leftover fabric from their workshop is simply awaiting disposal.

Nishigawa is planning to use some to make charity T-shirts to mark her school's opening.

And the use of surplus materials embodies the school's sustainable fashion ethos.

We've always just tossed this stuff,
but we wanted to find a way to use it.

When Nishigawa-san approached us,
I was very keen to get involved.

Next, we visit Japan's second largest city, Osaka.

Where Dear Me's student volunteers are working on children's outfits for the upcoming fashion show.

They'll be customizing garments donated by cooperating apparel firms.

Based on participants' own designs,

the Dear Me team searched partners' online catalogues for similar items to request.

Today, they'll be matching the donated items to the original designs.

This little girl really loves pink.

Once we add some decorations,
it will take on a totally different vibe.

We met the children in September.

And we saw how much thought and
effort they put into their designs.

So we want to get as close to
those designs as possible.

And to make these designs a reality,

they enlist the help of volunteer fashion students and tailoring hobbyists.

It's all part of the extensive support network underpinning the shows.

Back in the Philippines.

It's early February 2023, and the big day is fast approaching.

At KnK's offices, we find the Dear Me team,

here since late January to help with preparations for the show.

So, we're going to show your costumes for the fashion show!

Participants are excited to see their own designs made reality at last.

And today's handover only helps build their anticipation for the show.

Also present today is Jessamay, whose home Nishigawa visited last autumn.

Her outfit features a bold red heart design.

And it was all based on these original drawings.

I'm so happy.

I love hearts!

Zyra is here too.

What does she think of her final outfit?

It's great to get something
based on my own design.

With the handover complete, the children get a primer on catwalk fundamentals.

As well as how to walk, they learn stylish poses to show off their outfits.

And Nishigawa's team repeats this process in four separate locations.

The final show will feature an amazing 58 participants.

Rizal Park is a historic public garden in central Manila.

And it's also home to the auditorium that will host this year's fashion show.

Nishigawa and her team are here for a final site inspection.

As well as the stage, the children will strut their stuff along the red carpet-lined aisles.

They won't need to pose at the back.

Let's have them go right around.

And as the return of the show, after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic,

Nishigawa has a strong vision in mind.

As the first show in three years,
I wanted an airy, expansive feel.

That's why I chose a venue in a park.

The audience will be closer than usual.

So they'll be able to see the kids' smiles
and outfits much more clearly.

February 4th, the morning of the big day.

And the children gather in front of KnK's office in Payatas.

They'll be heading to the venue on a chartered mini bus.

It's the day of the show,
so I'm really excited.

I'm so happy to be taking part!

Once everyone is on board, it's time to set off.

For these children, the chance to visit central Manila is a rarity.

After a one-hour journey they arrive at the venue.

And next, it's time for their makeup!

It's another rare experience that helps build the children's excitement.

And with opening time approaching, the audience starts to arrive too...

... mostly made up of friends and relatives here to support participants.

With everybody fully decked out, the moment of truth is almost here.

And we're off!

One by one, the children take to the stage with pride.

And in the audience, having entrusted backstage duties to her team, is Nishigawa herself.

Here comes Zyra!

And Jessamay too!

- How was it?
- Great!

At first I was nervous, but once
I started walking, I really enjoyed it.

The show closes with team members taking the stage hand-in-hand with participants.

And everybody is full of smiles after a successful event.

The day after the show marks the opening of Nishigawa's long-dreamed-about free fashion school for local youngsters.

Three. Two. One...

Launched with approval from the Philippine government,

operations will be funded by profits from Nishigawa's fashion brand,

as well as donations from partner companies.

Sewing machines were provided by the same Japanese firm that donated its surplus fabric.

The opening intake of ten students includes former fashion show participant Alyssa,

who has big dreams in the world of fashion.

In the not-too-distant future,
I'd like to start my own business.

And contribute to my local area
through the skills I learn at this school.

Things get underway with an open lesson from a local university fashion lecturer.

It's very interesting to introduce kids to different fields in fashion.

This is another way for them to pursue their dreams.

And throughout the course, students will receive guidance from other local experts in various fields.

For Nishigawa Ayumi, who first launched her children's fashion shows back in 2015,

it marks a new beginning.

I hope the fashion shows can continue
to help children picture their dreams.

While this school makes those
dreams a reality.

And I hope our graduates can become
designers and tailors.

And work for my brand in Japan.

If we can do that, I think it would
bring various social benefits.

So I'm committed to the challenge!

What began as the dream of a 20-year-old college student

has grown into a project, that aims to help countless others realize dreams of their own.

And moving forward, this fashion initiative is set

to keep uniting Japan and the Philippines, along the catwalk to a brighter future.