Knitting pretty

For over 26 years, Lulu Tan-Gan’s name has been synonymous with knitwear. In a tropical country such as ours, they have traditionally been perceived as stuffy and boring. Only a keen and gutsy designer would see beyond this façade and actually create pieces that continue to flourish with the material’s versatility. The knits have been stretched, molded, remolded and reformed from caftans to halters to tunics to Bohemian asymmetrical designs. Looking at her slim, youthful agile body, Lulu is the best model for her clothes as she wears them with stylish chic.

For the past several years, Lulu has represented the Philippines in various international trade events and is an advisory member to the fashion councils in the industry as she has tirelessly worked to promote the Filipino label to compete in the global market.

Her advocacy takes on a deeper meaning as she attempts to help move the fashion industry into new directions to make it more relevant with the hope of positioning a Filipino fashion brand in the international market by showcasing the best of our traditions and fibers in contemporary forms and supporting the fast disappearing skills in the country.

Lulu continues her advocacy as she organizes the Designer Fashion Workshops for fashion enthusiasts to learn from the best fashion industry professionals. Lulu also sits as the dean of the Asian Institute of Fashion.

Young designer and media darling Solenn Heussaff started as an intern with Lulu in 2007. Completing her studies at Le Studio Berçot de Paris, her fashion career blossomed under Lulu’s wings as the house designer and both share the idea that fashion is a mix of art, commerce and craft.

The Primitivo Collection under the label of Solenn Heussaff for Tan-Gan was showcased at the Prive Fashion series at Member’s Only. This was the first time a Prive fashion show showcased the creations of not one but three designers with Rocio Bags and Maco Custodios shoes. The style was contemporary and inspired by our local ancestral and tribal groups. The fabric and embellishments recalled the aspects of raw materials: earth, fur, stone, iron and wood with geological colors — lava, coal, copper, pyrite and magna.

* * *

Tan-Gan will showcase its latest collection at the Fashion Watch series on May 12 at Makati Shangri-La Lobby Lounge. For inquiries, e-mail tangan.co@gmail.com, follow them on Twitter @tanganknitwear and Facebook: Tan-Gan Manila. Outlets are at L Manila, second floor, Greenbelt 5, Makati City; and Tan-Gan at SM Megamall.

* * *

E-mail: jacinto.fa@gmail.com.