Vatican bridges academe and industry thru partnership with APC

In January 2012, Vatican partnered with the students of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration specializing in Business Management of Asia Pacific College, an institution that specializes in IT education and also caters to Multimedia Arts, Engineering and Business-related courses, with the aim of formulating an effective Integrated Marketing Communications Plan for the designer house, Vatican Fashion Museum, and at the same time, provide and avenue for the students to apply their Business Management learning in an actual industry setting. The plan was laid-out by Vatican founder and CEO of Urban Lifestyle, Inc., Ulysses King, Lizanne Cua, one of the most sought-after designers of Vatican, and Jed Loma, the class adviser.

THE PLAN .The class was divided into groups and formulated their IMCs. On February 22, each group presented their plans to Edmir Lagui, designer for Envoy and representing Vatican, and Gino Go, business development director of Full Cirle Creative Concepts, as the marketing consultant. The best plan was chosen among the four and it was set for implementation. The chosen IMC Plan includes a partnership between Vatican Fashion Museum and some of the biggest brands in the Philippines, aggressive viral marketing through social networking sites, a new and improved packaging, a bigger and better MERGE (the brainchild fashion event of Vatican), among others.

RECENT EVENTS. “It’s Shoetime”, a footwear fashion show organized by the same class, was held at APC on March 6, and was sponsored by Vatican Fashion Museum. 

The Contestants

The event was a modeling competition that focused on footwear with the winning models to be featured on Vatican’s Lookbook account.

The winners

BM-91 with the contestants

The 10^th Season of “Fashiontech”, an annual fashion show organized by Business Administration Major in Marketing students of APC, was held on March 13 at Fiamma Bar, Makati City. Vatican Fashion Museum, with all of its designers, provided the wardrobe and accessories for the event.

Mr. Edmir Lagui is preparing for the Fashion Show

The Organizers with the designers of Vatican Fashion Museum

        

A photoshoot for the Vatican’s Lookbook account held on March 24 at FCC Building, Makati City. Models were Mitzi Nocon, Joven Toledo, Kevin Gener, all from Asia Pacific College. 

 

 LOOKING FORWARD.  

With these different projects already in motion, the partnership’s list of activities is being revved up. To boost customer relationship, an in-house manual is being drafted for Vatican that covers communication and sales training, updateson fashion trends, designers’ portfolio, inventory control, suggestive selling, among others. This strengthened partnership between Vatican Fashion Museum and Asia Pacific College bridges academe with the industry. By providing real projects and real learning, Vatican Fashion Museum lives up its commitment to showcase the ingenuity not just of Filipino designers, but also of the Filipino students. 

Photos from The Manansala Photography, Vladimir Lima Photography & Luis Quisimbing