PHILIPPINE Women’s College’s (PWC) nine senior students, eleven undergrads divided into two groups, and one fashion perspective: Davao’s 11 tribes’ artistic heritage as inspiration for contemporary fashion.
Such is the creative collaboration behind the capsule collection presented during the 8th Art and Design Awards held at the Abreeza Mall on April 9, 2015. PWC parents, teachers and students filled the mall’s Entertainment Center to see for themselves the varied artistic works reflecting Davao City’s cultural diversity.
(l-r): Emi Englis, Michael E. Dakudao, Xioti Chiu, Junie Artajo
“Yes, despite the proliferation and internationalization of art and design at the easy touch of a screen, or a tap on a track pad, viewers and art lovers will still look for context of these visions on differing media…This exhibition presenting various art and design forms pays tribute to our cultural connection and oneness in this region in Mindanao,” said the professional visual artist and educator, Abraham Garcia, Jr., of PWC’s Helena Z. Benitez School of Fine Arts and Design.
“This year’s Thesis Capsule Apparel Collection challenged the students by having them do research on both the tangible and intangible cultures of the Ata, Iranun, Kagan, Klata/Guianan, Maguindanaw, Maranao, Matigsalug, Obo Manobo, Sama, Tagabawa and Tausug tribes of our region. The students were then tasked to inject or tweak artistic details from these tribes’ ethnic art; and translate them to accommodate a fresh look on contemporary apparels that would be accessible, wearable and commercially viable. It’s adapting ethnicity to fit our contemporary lifestyle,” explained the ever fabulous Fashion Design Program Head, Emi Englis, as he added. “I am so excited as to how this initial endeavour will open doors for our new generation of fashion designers who are globally attuned but still deeply rooted to our very own cultural heritage.”
“The process was no easy feat as the senior students had to coordinate with deputy City Mayors, the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, and the Office of the Moslem Affairs to meet and learn first hand from the respective tribes’ respected senior artisans whose number is dwindling. The field studies involved a lot of arduous documentation,” detailed Emi Englis as he continued, “The Research Program of PWC, which was facilitated by Dr. Ruth James and Glyd Jun Aranes, guided the students on this first ever academic research-based apparel production project as a requirement for a degree of BFA in Fashion Design. The students’ research and thesis proposals were evaluated by an academic panel composed of Dean Lourdes C. Cabintoy, Dr. Noemi Ninte and Dr. Denan Carino.” According to Emi Englis, the goal was for the students to get a thorough understanding of Mindanaoan art and material culture and to utilize them to create a contemporary design that is distinctively Mindanaoan.
Amanda Lee Velasco, the Best Thesis Awardee of 2015, came up with an all white collection with a “neutral permutation of the colourful patterns of the Matigsalug tribe’s sinalapid belt.” Her collection embraces sophisticated minimalism affording ease and simplicity. Talented Wilson Limon presented a wearable and commercially viable collection called Manata. Working with the Bagobo Tagabawa artisan named Bae Arlyne Salazar, Limon embellished his crop tops and skirts with elaborate beadings made by Salazar. Amazing is Limon’s use of the Bagobo Tagabawa weaver Vivencia Mamites’ fabrics and reproducing it through digital sublimation printing onto fabrics earning him the award for “Best in Materials, Techniques and Construction.” Jozel Ignes, who prides himself for winning the Grand Prize in a Mindanao Trade Expo Fashion Accessory competition, deconstructed the armalis motif of the Sama tribe to use as ornamentation for his designs. His edgy and sporty collection was adjudged as “The Best in Runway Appeal Presentation.” Alexis Nickole Rule, also credited for “The Best in Runway Appeal Presentation,” utilized magnified okir patterns from the Maranao malong which she laboriously beaded in her collection featuring long and lean proportions in absolute gold and black colours. Michiko Javilles’ effortless tent dresses in jewel tones were accessorized with tambuku buttons of the Tausug women’s blouses. Joanna Tutor’s inspiration came from the diamond patterns of the tribal wear of the Ata tribe which she highlighted in her mostly black and red coloured cocktail dresses.
“I am truly overwhelmed with this year’s fashion collection. It’s truly professional. Surely, this year’s batch has gone a long way. I saw them enter PWC as naïve, young and restless students. In the past three years, these students learned to focus and discipline themselves armed with their passion for fashion. It shows in the collection they presented and I am truly happy for them,” the well-loved Program Chair, madame Brenda Barba, professed with a gush.
Congratulations to the new breed of fashion makers of PWC. Thank you, Hartzell Cueva for the pictures.