Dress code: Modern Filipiniana
Modern Filipiniana. Of all the dress codes specified in invitations, this is one of my favorites.
I needed a modern Filipiniana outfit recently and wondered where I could get one for the next day while attending a Christmas dinner at the new and beautiful Opus Mall in Bridgetowne, Quezon City, with Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Roseann Villegas and their other guests.
“We have a store upstairs, Spatio, where you can find nice Filipiniana,” Robina said. “And don’t worry, the mall closes at 10 p.m.,” Roseann added.
So right after the dinner featuring the best from Opus’ tenants such as Breakfast by Antonio’s, Tomatito, Paul and Wildflour, we flew via escalator to Spatio, which is located on the second floor of Opus.
There, I was awed by what I saw: a lovely curated mix of fashion, home and lifestyle goods spread across a three-level space.
Spatio is a living collection of products that display Filipino craftsmanship. It champions local designers and artisans. It made me think: This is Filipino heritage with a modern soul.
Of course, I went right away to my fashion favorites, Jor-El Espina, Rhett Eala and Connie Macatuno. The vignettes were lovely, amusing and at times, whimsical.
There were so many beautiful clothes to choose from, and I bought enough to last me through the busy holiday events and beyond.
Why am I so enamoured with modern Filipiniana? Don’t get me wrong. I have a great respect for history and tradition, and I find the Maria Clara attire of the 1890s, named after the heroine of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, quite beautiful. It is a dress as well as a symbol of purity and grace. Research shows it is usually made of delicate fabrics like piña, it consists of the baro (a collarless, bell-sleeved blouse), the saya (a stiff, triangular scarf or shawl), and the tapis (an overskirt).
The terno, on the other hand, referred in the 1920s to a matching set of camisa, panuelo and saya. But it evolved in the 1940s to a single, one-piece dress made from the same material. In the mid-20th century, the butterfly sleeves of the terno became a symbol of women’s empowerment. Designers led by Ramon Valera famously made couture ternos.
Grace and empowerment are still valued today, and with the initiative of movements like the Ternocon of Bench, women can exude centuries-old grace and carry empowerment while wearing Filipiniana with comfortable and modern vibes.
At Spatio, there are over a hundred Filipino designers and accessory brands.
Connie Macatuno: Lights, camera, fashion!
Connie Macatuno is a TV/film director and producer who may as well shout “Lights, camera, fashion!” every time she works. She is also a fashion designer and she gave tribal weaves a modern flavor in The Broken Marriage Vow, which she directed and filmed in the Mountain Province. Jodi Sta. Maria and Zanjoe Marudo looked good in Connie’s fashion creations, some hand-painted and upcycled.
She believes that fashion can tell stories about our Philippine heritage. Coincidentally, she helped launch Spatio with #KwentoNatinGalingPilipino as the hashtag.
Direk, nakikinig kami.
Jor-El Espina: Fearlessly innovative
Jor-El Espina has spent most of his designing life in Iloilo. Then one day, Manilans just woke up to discover his fearless modern Filipiniana creations. His architectural sleeves, deconstructed dresses, elegant gowns with unique details, never-boring barongs and cotton-piña tops with floral cut-outs are now tops among the hip and young as well as the fashionable set.
He will bring Filipiniana to the future.
Jor-El Espina makes Filipiniana dressing feminine and fearlessly innovative.
Rhett Eala: Democratic and patriotic
I want fashion to be easy and democratic. I want people to feel comfortable when they wear my clothes,” the country’s top trendsetter, Rhett Eal,a famously said. “My job is to make fashion look effortless and beautiful.”
His creations are a combination of patriotism, wit and whimsy. Remember how he put miniature Philippine maps close to our hearts with his bestselling T-shirts? Now he creates kimonos with very Pinoy appliques. He makes it easy for us to wear ternos: by making them into tops with friendly details, these don’t look intimidating.