Corporate irreverence was at the heart of Alser Lumawag&rsquo;s collection for this year&rsquo;s Bench Design Awards.

PHOTOGRAPHY Lyndon Kyle Asuncion
Alser Lumawag&rsquo;s Bench Design Awards 2025 collection, titled Please See Attached, speaks tongue-in-cheek commentary on corporate life and the frenetic rhythm of a modern office, where coping mechanisms&mdash;sardonic humor and microdoses of rebellion&mdash;roughen the sleek edge of professionalism.
&ldquo;This collection actually wasn&rsquo;t my original entry into the competition,&rdquo; Lumawag admits. &ldquo;However,&nbsp;just days before the final submission, I faced an overwhelming situation at work that left me completely burnt out. The endless revisions and a flood of emails&mdash; almost every single one starting with &ldquo;please see attached file&rdquo;&mdash;wore me down. I began to resent those words. To turn that negative experience into something positive, I channeled my frustration into creativity. I took a humorous approach, hoping to replace that stressful memory with a lighter, more meaningful one.&rdquo;
Set to the cheeky beat of Rocky Paterra&rsquo;s I&rsquo;m an Accountant, models hit the runway in Lumawag&rsquo;s interpretation of casual Friday: layered textures and interesting fabrics in a playful, irreverent mimicry&nbsp;of a typical nine-to-five. After all, as Paterra&rsquo;s song goes: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m living life and having fun / This numbers job is number one.&rdquo;

What piqued your fascination with the silhouettes, textures, and fabrics you&rsquo;ve used in this collection?
I took a bold risk by experimenting with diverse fabrications in each look to encourage individuality among employees through their personal style and bring personality to an environment dominated by black and gray. I was also inspired by [the concept of] a company&rsquo;s &ldquo;wash day,&rdquo; when employees can wear whatever they like, offering a refreshing break from the monotony of standard office attire.
What was it like creating the collection alongside your fellow BDA competitors and mentors? What was that environment like?
It was a friendly yet spirited competition, where everyone brought their unique vision and strengths to the table. The atmosphere, though intense, was also very supportive&mdash;fueled by our passion, creativity, and mutual respect. Being part of it pushed me to elevate my own work and inspired me in unexpected ways.
Could you tell us more about your brand and how it&rsquo;s evolved? What are your dreams for it?
ALSR is still in its early stages. I launched it just a year ago, and the Bench Design Awards marked my official debut in the Philippine fashion industry. It began as a bespoke service exclusively for my colleagues at work, but over time, I shifted my focus to streetwear, which was my original vision for the brand. My design approach centers on creating novelty pieces rooted in the deconstruction of wardrobe basics, capturing the essence of adaptability in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Could you tell us a little bit about your career background?
I&rsquo;ve been working full-time at a government bank for nearly eight years, while also pursuing my passion for creating clothes. I&rsquo;m currently a student at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, where I attend Saturday classes due to my weekday work commitments. Balancing both has been challenging, but it&rsquo;s a commitment I&rsquo;ve made to follow my passion alongside my professional career.
How has your design perspective shifted or remained since your last release?
My design perspective hasn&rsquo;t changed since my last release; instead, it has become more grounded and refined, with a stronger sense of identity. While my techniques and execution continue to evolve, the core essence of my vision remains consistent.

"What's bad for your heart is good for your art."

What are your long-term influences?
My long-term influences have always come from personal hardships; basically, life throwing lemons at me. Instead of letting those bad experiences live rent- free in my head, I started turning them into something creative. That process still shapes how I approach design today, helping me build a brand that&rsquo;s not just about clothes, but about turning chaos into style and maybe making a point along the way.
What are your current influences? What&rsquo;s inspiring you right now?
Lately, I&rsquo;ve been really inspired by artists and designers who incorporate humor, irony, and storytelling into their work, like the iconic Japanese designer Bokunou and Chinese designer Mark Gong. I love how their pieces feel like visual punchlines, full of personality and wit, yet grounded in a strong design identity.
They don&rsquo;t take fashion too seriously, but still manage to make a bold statement. Right now, I&rsquo;m drawn to playful silhouettes, unexpected materials, and anything that blurs the line between wearable and conceptual.
Your design philosophy in one sentence?
What&rsquo;s bad for your heart is good for your art.

On the Job: Alser Lumawag

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L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES JUNE/JULY 2025 - Intimate Encounters ₱600

On the Job: Alser Lumawag

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