SEBAGO 65th ANNIVERSARY

                            SEBAGO DOCKSIDES

The Art & Advocacy of Sebago

Sebago celebrates 65 years with an art exhibit for Habitat

Few brands can boast of a long and rich heritage, and fewer can gather the top names in entertainment, fashion and design to celebrate an important milestone. New England-born footwear brand Sebago® is one of the exceptional few. In celebration of its 65^th anniversary this year, it launched Sebago x 65, an exhibition of its iconic Docksides® transformed into unique works of art and auctioned for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity.

Using paint as well as unusual materials such as fur, beads, croc skin, gold leaf, a stellar line-up of the country’s most prominent individuals had delivered the most extraordinary and unexpected collection of footwear art. These design masters include actors Enchong Dee and Joseph Marco; TV host Phoemela Baranda; band vocalist Jett Pangan; top Filipino designers Rajo Laurel, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Rhett Eala, Joey Samson and Kate Torralba; fashion stylists Noel Manapat and Sidney Yap; columnist and fashionista Tessa Prieto-Valdes; architects Gil Coscolluela and Nix Alanon; shoe designer Maco Custodio; Team Manila’s Mon Punzalan and Jowee Alviar; columnist Leah Puyat; interior stylist Anton Barretto; fashion editor Liza Ilarde; and artists Martin Honasan, Julianne Tarroja, Nix Puno, Rory Morales, Carlo Ongchanco, Nelz Yumul, Niño Hernandez, Mike Nakayama and Raymond Lauchengco.

The artworks were officially unveiled and presented to Habitat for Humanity and special guests last June 23 at The Gallery, Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Sebago® Philippines officials Gilson and Gifford Chu, along with Bill Mirecki, Vice President of Sebago® International, led the ribbon cutting rites.  Sebago® Philippines donated an initial fund to Habitat in behalf of the artist participants, and a silent auction was also held to raise more funds for the charity organization.

“We are honored and grateful to be celebrating our 65^th in this unique and meaningful way,” said Gifford Chu, President of Shoemaker’s Shop, Inc., the official distributor of Sebago® in the Philippines.  “It is quite humbling and inspiring to see the artists deliver with such passion and creativity their personal works.  They had spent time and effort in doing this not only for Sebago®, but more importantly for our beneficiary Habitat for Humanity. They all represent our brand’s ideals and we are proud to have them join our celebration.” In the coming weeks, Sebago x 65 shall also be traveling to different commercial centers all over Metro Manila.

Sebago Docksides® has become iconic not only among sailors but also for fashion lovers as well.  Appreciated for their hand sewn moccasin construction that wraps the foot in a single piece of leather, each pair promises seamless comfort and hardwearing durability.  And while Docksides® themselves haven’t changed, they have inspired countless collaborations that continue to bring the brand to the forefront of fashion.

For more information, visit the Sebago Docksides (Official) fan page on Facebook or go to www.sebago.com.  

     JUNE 23, 2011  " PRESS LAUNCH"