Weaving the fabric of our identity

MANILA, Philippines - A fusion of timeless pieces and stunning new designs recently brought out Filipinos’ classic fashion ingenuity. Add to that gift the tradition of elegance, good taste and style in Habi: Weaving the Fabric of Life held Feb. 3 at the National Museum of the Filipino People. The show formed a glittering part of the 2nd ASEAN Traditional Textiles symposium.

The opulent selection of contemporary global clothes was put together from a panoply of indigenous textiles like abaca, abel, Aurora silk, hablon, Iloilo silk, piña, raffia and silk cocoon. Rendered by five of the Philippines’ foremost couturiers — Randy Ortiz, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Rhett Eala, Lulu Tan-Gan and Cary Santiago — their designs did not disappoint.

“Worn by our guest and professional models with grace, pride and an equal amount of sophistication, this spectrum of fabulous new designs boasted a play of neutral colors, patterns and materials which greatly impressed visiting symposium participants from Southeast Asia,” Jackie Aquino, Habi fashion show director, said.

Cocktail dresses, evening gowns and two-piece ensembles in cream and taupe colors poured forth from either end of the museum’s Marble Hall worn by a long parade of models. Randy Ortiz also threw in a few long-sleeved button-up shirts and stylish suit trousers for men.

“Sometimes we have the idea that Philippine textiles are only good for Filipinianas. We wanted to demonstrate that like Thai silk, our local fabrics can be worn and integrated into wearable high-fashion designs,” Armita Rufino, Museum Foundation president and “Habi” fashion show committee chairman, said. “The local textile industry is in the process of exploring the development of sustainable weaving communities. What we produce is part and parcel of our Filipino identity — our culture.”

Beyond that objective, each weaving community, many coming from indigenous groups all over the islands, was delighted to note that they were not alone. “A deep kinship has sprung up between various groups of weavers,” Maribel Ongpin, co-chairman of the symposium, said. “We certainly hope, also, to have raised awareness for the lovely range of what is out there in the hinterlands.”

The Museum Foundation of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Office of the President, ASEAN Foundation, Japan/ASEAN Solidarity Fund, the Department of Tourism and the Himpunan Wastraprema in Indonesia, organized the s ymposium. Sponsors were the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, Ayala Foundation, Inc., Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc., SM Group of Companies, Intramuros Administration, National Historical Institute, Philippine Airlines Foundation, Inc., and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with major media partners Lifestyle Network and Metro and Metro Society.

Symposium organizers also thanked Congressman and Mrs. Juan Edgardo Angara, Congresswoman Daisy Fuentes, Congressman and Mrs. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Governor Michael Keon, Governor Sally Perez, Governor Vilma Santos, the Indigenous People’s Development Program of the provincial government of Sarangani, Jane Iredale, Marlene Po, and Ramon N. Villegas for donating textiles for the fashion show.

Randy Ortiz: The favorite couturier of stars highlights the beauty of local fabrics.

Patrice Ramos-Diaz: The princess of couture captures femininity in indigenous textiles.

Lulu Tan-Gan: This time, the Philippines’ queen of knits goes Pinoy modern.

Cary Santiago: This designer extraordinaire has mastered such exquisite craftsmanship.

Rhett Eala: Manila’s prince of couture weaves chic magic.