I’m not sure if your Summers were spent like mine but back when I was still in High School (which was about a couple of decades ago, LOL), I used to work it off at our family business in Alabang. You kids should know that Alabang didn’t use to look like it does at present; the busiest and most marketable place to put up a business was at the Public Market. The area where ATC (and the budding business district) is right now used to be fondly called “Arcade” or Alabang Twin Cinema with a smaller McDonald’s. I basically grew up around business-minded folks who’d make money from selling candies to glass ware and house ware.

But going back to my point, as much as I appreciate the sort of “training” I got from my parents, I would’ve loved it more if I had the opportunity to explore other things, stretched my interests. I would’ve loved to have taken a course like the ones being offered at SOFA (School of Fashion and the Arts). Then again, this interest in fashion and beauty had only gradually crept in as I went about, er, life.

Let’s go over the courses available together:

Personal Styling Module (March 21-22 & April 28; May 19-21)
A 3-day basic seminar that teaches you the fundamentals of make-up, hairstyling, and fashion styling for both personal and professional use.

Fashion Overview Module (April 13-17; May 11-15)
A 5-day intensive seminar that gives you a bird’s eye view on the fashion industry. You will gain skills in design and conceptualization, illustration, merchandising, and branding.

Fashion Styling Summer Course (March 28 to May 9; May 6-27)
An intensive summer program on the basics of fashion styling for editorials, advertising, and celebrity clients.

Basic Sewing and Pattern-making Summer Course (April 14 to May 5)
A fast-track basic clothing construction program that will teach you the use of the sewing machine and garment construction basics.

Basic Makeup Summer Course (May 5 to 28)
Learn the basics of creating the perfect made up eye, the flawless face, and more! This course is best for beginners who want to gain skills for personal and professional use.

Progressive Makeup Summer Course (March 28 to April 5)
This program teaches advanced skills and looks for makeup application. Recommended for students with basic makeup background.

Now, aren’t these courses interesting? If given the opportunity, I’d love to check out the Fashion Overview Module, Basic Sewing and Pattern-making Summer Course and the Progressive Makeup Summer Course. Heehee.

Of course, you’d think that only the grown ups get to all the fun, huh? SOFA actually has a Fashion and Arts Camp for kids.

The Fashion and Arts Camp (March 24 to April 3; May 5-15) aims expose kids to activities, like bag-making, t-shirt embellishing and more, which will allow them to explore their creative side. SOFA will provide all the materials needed plus will throw in a SOFA bag and Camp t-shirt. This camp is for children aged 6 to 12 years old with an option to sign up for a 4-session or 8-session (3 hours per session) camp schedule.

So if you’re interested in the Summer Courses or the Fashion and Arts Camp for Kids and would want to get more information, feel free to forward all inquiries to SOFA via the following contact information: 491 5536 | 892 8807 | 0917 501 8136; info@sofamanila.com; or visit their sites online: www.sofamanila.com | sofamanila.multiply.com.

Hope you folks have a fashionably productive summer!

Images courtesy of Amina Alunan-Aranaz