Women Reinvent

 Ode to sustainable fashion

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

In celebration of Women's Month, Araneta City showcased sustainable fashion with the creations of Filipino designers that were crafted from eco-friendly materials and locally-woven textiles. Simply dubbed "Women Reinvent," the collection of 12 local artisans, who specialize in unique sustainable designs, together with accessories by Tina Campos Jewelry and Christopher Munar, made strong advocacy pieces both for the environment and the local cottage enterprise.

Binibining Pilipinas 2021 Hannah Arnold and the forty official Binibining Pilipinas 2023 candidates sashayed down the ramp at the Farmers Plaza activity center. Bags by Ma. Delza's native products and shoes by Aishe Fashion both added to the efforts of local craftsmen in leaving an imprint in the local fashion industry. The said local labels were made by women for women.

The Binibinis donned the fabulous creations of PNay, Russ Cuevas, Adam Balasa, James O'Briant, Peñaflorida Atelier, Christine Lim, and Kutur ni Jean, as well as Justine Aliman who designed the Filipiniana ensemble for Hannah Arnold.

"I've created very wearable modern Filipiniana silhouettes using pinukpok (abaca fiber) from Albay and the Bicol region. The designs I made employed color for a more youthful vibe. As a couturier, I am known for my barong and show ensembles. I want to preserve our culture through our unique textile weaves, and, in so doing, promote the livelihood programs of women in various cottage industries. And since local weaves are still not as sturdy as manufactured textiles, I suggested to loom weavers that they improve the tightness of their woven fabrics for more strength," shared Bicol-based fashion designer Jean Alta, who runs Kutur ni Jean in Albay.

The "Women Reinvent" fashion show greenlighted the series of pre-pageant events and activities of Binibining Pilipinas 2023, leading to the coronation night in May. The event also marked the participation of Araneta City in the global Earth Hour campaign for March 25; as it joins the hour-long energy conservation with its lights-off event over the weekend.