WEAVING in Iloilo has been a staple livelihood in our local communities, preserving the region’s hand-loom heritage. The seven-day Fiber Fashion Fair last August 24 – August 31, 2019, held at SM City Iloilo, showcased our local weaving heritage in a modern way.
Keeping the industry alive, the Iloilo Provincial Government and the Department of Tourism hosted the 12th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair with the direction of Sir Bombette Golez Marin, models from Iloilo Models Guild and hair and makeup from Sir John Montinola. Weavers from the different municipalities of Dueñas, Miagao, and Oton together with the help of Iloilo fashion designers appropriated the art of weaving into modern contemporary pieces in their own extraordinary way.
These are the highlights from the 12th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair.
John Montinola
As one of the brainchildren of the Fiber Fashion Fair, John Montinola reinvented the use of indigenous fabrics with his manipulation of Hablon. He started the show with colorful flower appliques that were meticulously beaded to the bodice of his dresses. According to Montinola, his latest collection was inspired by a modern cosmopolitan woman. The entire collection was mainly her evening summer wardrobe. Montinalo used Hablon provided by Salngan Multipurpose Cooperative from Oton, Iloilo.
Jeff Ticao
A professional in using Indigenous fabrics, Jeff Ticao didn’t disappoint—his collection titled “Babayi” in my opinion was Probinsyana chic— clothes that will make you fantasize that you were in your own probinsya on your balcony sipping tea while listening to the crickets after a rainy day. Jeff accessorized his collection with handwoven rattan bags and hats sourced from different locals from the province of Negros. Jeff was inspired by hard-working women of his community, “They may be busy as bees and carabaos but they can also be beautiful”.
Annie Cañonaso
As a womenswear designer, Annie Cañonaso utilized the indigenous fabrics made by local community weavers of Iloilo and turned them into strong pieces for women. The IMG Jr.’s were part of her children’s collection—her pieces for the little girls turned them into elegant young ladies as they walk down the runway. Cañonaso used the traditional Japanese art technique called Origami, she mixed the traditional art of weaving and the art of paper folding from Japan and turned her pieces into a work of art.
Peach Garde
Peach Garde is a perfectionist when it comes to tailoring. With the help of his excellent tailoring skills, Peach utilized indigenous fabrics in a sharp and clean way. His collection titled Balangkas was mainly composed of lines—representing his process of conceptualization for his collection, sketch lines on a blank canvas. Lines were incorporated in every piece, from his pleats, ruffles and his well-tailored cuts, not a single flaw was on the runway—it was perfection.
Jet Torrento
The winner of the 2018 New Breed Fashion Challenge, Jet Torrento used his own spin in incorporating indigenous fabrics with his modern silhouettes. The curved pleats on his white dresses were truly jaw-dropping— as the models were walking, his a-line dresses gave an illusion that it was floating down the runway. Jet accessorized his collection with large silver belts that gave his pieces an edgier look. Jet Torrento really knows how to manipulate fabrics, even an indigenous fabric like hablon—Jet still managed to give it his own touch.
Lexter Badana
Neon is a trend this 2019, as a fashion expert, Lexter Badana incorporated indigenous fabrics such as Hablon and Patadyong in his latest collection. His custom tropical print such as flowers, the texture of leaves, bird prints and winged insect jewel accents gave a story of a woman enjoying her luxury cruise. Badana’s use of fresh materials gave a modern touch to indigenous fabrics like Hablon and Patadyong—a traditional technique for an on-trend woman.
Along with the said local designers; Ayan Jorda, Ysther Grejaldo, Niño Damasco, Edward Sales and local designers from the municipality of Miagao also showcased their extraordinary creations with the use of indigenous fabrics.
With the artistry and creativity of all the designers and local weavers from the municipalities of Dueñas, Miagao, and Oton that participated in the 12th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair, they were all successful in appropriating the traditional art of Weaving into a modern contemporary piece for an on-trend individual.
