Pinoy designer shows artistic side of autism on New York runway

MANILA, Philippines — Artworks on pinya fabrics hand-painted by children with autism were the highlight of the Fashion Arts Autism Benefit Fashion Show (FAAB) in New York.

The fabrics were fashion into shawls, wraps, skirts and evening wear by designer Anthony Legarda, aiming to uplift the lives of persons diagnosed with autism and to increase the public understanding of the condition.

Legarda is a Filipino American designer and textile technologist who incorporates authentic handwoven fabrics from the Philippines and Asia into distinctive American apparel as well as modernizes luxurious ethnic cloth for the eco-fashion world.

Masterpieces by Filipino National Artists Jose Joya, Vicente Manansala and Mauro Malang, among others served as inspiration for the creations of the autistic artists.

After a tour in Manila, San Francisco, New York and Geneva, the gowns will be put on international auction in April 2016, in time for the celebration of the next World Autism Awareness Day.

The year-long fashion tour will come full circle in April 2017, with the gowns given to the winning bidders in Manila. According to organizers, the proceeds of the auction will help the participating artists save up for their future.

The event was made possible by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, in cooperation with the Philippine Mission to the United Nations (UN), Autism Hearts Foundation, Autism Speaks. — Alixandra Caole Vila