“It has never been enough for modern man to clothe his nakedness in order to cover it; there has always been an intention to use clothing as a symbol of rank, power, faith, or distinction. Through time, it continues to be a canvas of aesthetics, a palette for creativity, a sketchbook of history that reveals to present generations the lifestyle trends and preferences of their forbears. In understanding fashion, we delve into the cultural, religious, social, economic, and even political experiences of the people who wore them,” aptly wrote Angela Blardony Ureta in the book Pinoy Dressing published 16 years ago.
I was again reminded of Ureta’s unshakeable fashion belief during the Culture + Fashion: Meet and Greet the Country’s Fashion Icons and Trendsetters plus the Francis Libiran Cruise/Holiday 2023 Runway Special events held at Dusit Davao last September 22 and 23, 2023. Indeed, as Dusit Davao’s MarComm Manager Ariesha Faith Dimaano said, “This is another milestone for the hotel as the epicenter for creative expression in the region. Dusit Davao brought together the executives from Vogue Philippines namely Rhoda Ocampo-Aldanese (COO and Publisher), Pam Quinones (Fashion Editor), Joyce Orena (Beauty Editor), Audrey Carpio (Features Editor), Fashion Icon Tina Maristela Ocampo and Architect/Fashion Designer Francis Libiran.” These modern day defenders of Philippine fashion had a dialogue with Davao’s fashionistas, both the young and the mature ones, in what Faith envisioned to be “an exchange of thoughts, a chance to learn, and a way to be heard as well.” As Faith said, “This is only the beginning of the many things we are going to make, a vessel of fashion, culture, and the arts in the region. We are bringing Davao to new heights and on bigger stages in the future.” As many Davaoeno fashionistas attended the event, they were divided into groups with each group assigned an admired member of Vogue Philippines.
Fortunately for my group, we had madam Tina Maristela-Ocampo, a 1980’s supermodel of the country who is a founding member of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines. She is also a business entrepreneur who is quite well known for her eponymous line of sophisticatedly designed Celestina evening bags. In Ricardo Ocampo, she found the right business partner in the competitive field of the business of fashion. “In the business of fashion, you always have to present and sell something which has not been seen or sold before. Mindanao fashion is interesting for you have various tribes creating these beautiful handwoven fabrics that is distinctly Mindanaoan. The Luzon and Visayas regions also have their own specialized handwoven fabrics that is distinctively theirs. You should be proud of these indigenous handwoven fabrics which have distinguishable patterns and colors representing each tribe that laboriously creates them. A number of these are organic fabrics which are eco-friendly fashion alternatives. Never lose your identity in the product or fashion you sell. I never do even if some countries look down on Philippine-designed and Philippine-made products. Be proud of what you have created and stand your own ground!” Tina Maristela-Ocampo advised.
As to whether Mindanao fashion has made an impact in Manila, Tina Maristela-Ocampo hesitated to answer giving the impression that there is not that much impact even with Marga Montemayor-Nograles’ Kaayo brand and Wilson Limon’s NinoFranco label, both of which have creative partnerships with the lumad tribes of Mindanao in producing a distinctively Mindanaoan contemporary ethnic fashion. It will take some time perhaps for creative Davaoeno fashion designers reach the level of the late Dean of Philippine Fashion Ben Farrales who was most known for his Muslim-inspired fashion and Davao’s very own late fashion czar Alfonso Guinoo who pioneered in championing the indigenous craftsmanship of the Lumad tribes in Davao.
September 23 was a big night for Davao’s fashionistas who came to buy Francis Libiran’s classic ready-to-wear pieces ideal for that daily look with our tropical weather in mind. It was also the launching of Francis Libiran’s fragrance collection. And then there was his fashion show with his good looking and tall Manila models doing their elegant catwalk on the runway. Thank you, Vogue Philippines, Francis Libiran and of course, Tomas Lorenzo of Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation who encouraged the fashionistas that evening to be proud being Pinoy; and to “Go Local, Buy Local.” Yes, Tomas Lorenzo was looking cool wearing a Kaayo cotton shirt.
