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R O C K I N G O U R R O O T S
Theway
wewore
Young Filipino designers are digging deep
into a treasure chest of styles past to stitch up
contemporary pieces with a traditional twist. The
result? Finely crafted, fun and funky everyday wear
that
,
s uniquely Pinoy. By Tara FT Sering. Styled by
Donna Cuna-Pita. Photographs by Danish Connection
FASHION
is one of the most visible and
immediate manifestations of contemporary
culture — what, and how, we wear what we
wear presents our collective personality to
the world. “Philippine fashion has often taken
inspiration from traditional clothing,” says
Tippi Ocampo, author of
Not by the Book
—
a hand-sewn and hand-drawn book on design
and creativity — and one of the country’s most
prolific designers. “The difference now is that
we’re not as insular as we once were, and we
have a more global perspective on design.
We’re now looking to put our own stamp on
global fashion with our own sustainable fabrics
and imaginative designs.”
Once the exclusive preserve of cultural
events, period-themed formal gatherings,
extravagant weddings and the red carpet of the
President’s annual State of the Nation Address,
traditional Filipiniana styles, snipped with a
modern edge, are making their way to the
everyday wardrobe of the fashion savvy. Taking
our cue from fashion designers who have
woven a distinct Filipiniana thread into their
oeuvre, we set out to put together a tradition-
inspired fashion story — and a little town south
of Manila proved to be the perfect backdrop.