Amihan

 Bacudio’s latest resort wear collection celebrates Pinoy iconic symbols

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Celebrated Filipino fashion designer Avel Bacudio presented his latest resort wear collection, dubbed “Amihan,” as highlight of the recently concluded Reta-Show: Twinnings edition, where he sat as competition judge and mentor to budding designers.

Amihan continues Bacudio’s dialogue with Filipino identity through craft and innovation. At the heart of the collection is his pinAVEL fabric, an artisanal blend of indigenous fibers that include pineapple, banana, bamboo, and abaca that’s reimagined into a breathable, featherweight textile that moves with quiet sophistication.

The exclusive AVEL prints, on the other hand, are inspired by Filipino cultural icons like the jeepney, the sampaguita, and the enduring carabao.

Bacudio sculpts his fabric into contemporary, voluminous silhouettes – from fluid cover-ups to elegantly draped men’s shirts – evoking ease of movement and resort sensibility.

Complementing these pieces are neutral-toned, wide-legged trousers, and tailored shirts; enriched with the tactile depth of traditional hand-woven textiles like the Binakol, Inabel, and Trambia.

Styling embraces a dynamic interplay of pieces, encouraging versatility across the collection.

The women’s aesthetic is layered with vibrant swimwear beneath the sheer cover-ups; effortlessly transitioning from beach lounging to elevated resort dressing with the addition of white ankle-strapped footwear.

For menswear, ensembles shift from relaxed to refined; finished with classic brown loafers. Accessories further expand the collection’s visual language - achieving the look with Mindanao silk scarves and twillies rendered in both vibrant palette and monochromatic hues; worn as headpieces, neck accents, or wrapped around basket bags, each featuring exclusive prints.

With Amihan, Avel Bacudio opens a more personal take on the resort wear by designing pieces to be endlessly mixed, layered, or reimagined into a wardrobe that is both versatile and deeply rooted in the Pinoy psyche.

Bacudio continues his involvement with the Department of Science & Technology’s (DOST) Philippine Textile Research Institute, as well as with his advocacy to pass on knowledge and know-how to the budding crop of fashion designers.