Philippine Fashion: Making Milestones

Once upon a time, Philippine fashion was conservative, very compromising, and afraid to venture outside of its comfort zone. Most “statements” in Philippine fashion were timid and looked pretty much like more refined versions of Western fashion trends.
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But Philippine fashion has gone a long way. Magazines focusing on Philippine fashion are featuring less foreign names and more local designers. And, slowly but surely, more Filipinos are becoming household names in the international front.
 
Because Philippine fashion has taken great steps toward freedom of expression, one starts to wonder why. Although Filipinos are family-oriented and have a culture rich in old-fashioned values, it is apparent that Filipino women have become bolder, stronger, and more competitive through the years. A lot of Filipino women now hold important positions even in departments and industries that used to be run by a gamut of men. In fact, the country has elected two lady presidents in under three decades.
 
Philippine fashion is no longer a statement of conformity; it is now a statement of independence. Perhaps freedom as a “fashion trend” isn’t much of a surprise; after all, the Filipino people have struggled to free themselves from conquerors and dictators for centuries. And they have their freedom still intact.
 
In terms of Philippine fashion, more and more women now experiment with shapes and colors. Perhaps more Filipinas have yet to wear less jeans t-shirts; however, a stroll in the mall reveals how many women refuse to be caught in such a bleak-looking ensemble. Wearing sleeveless and tube tops used to be frowned upon; now, and quite rightfully considering the tropical climate in this country, women wear their tank tops and spaghetti straps with confidence, furthering the cause for freedom from stereotypes in the arena of Philippine fashion.
trinket princess philippine fashion
 
Even with the absence of many foreign designer labels in the Philippines, a few well-established ones are already making their mark in Philippine fashion. Designers in the Philippines have learned to become proud of their Filipino heritage, capitalizing on Philippine resources for their fabrics and materials. One good example is Tina Maristela-Ocampo, the famous Filipina behind Celestina bags who uses shells, wood, and other materials found proudly in the Philippines. Celestina bags are a great representative of how far Filipinos can go in the Philippine fashion industry.
 
As more Filipino designers continue to struggle for originality and boldness in Philippine fashion, the Philippines is fast becoming a little haven of style. Maybe, in the future, we no longer have to resort to Louis Vuitton or Balenciaga; perhaps “Juan dela Cruz” shall become enough of a fashion name.

Fashion Blogs in the Philippines

A fashion blog is a personal statement, a revelation – it’s wearing your heart on your sleeve in terms of your own style. No fashion blog that strives to hide personal taste ever successfully connects to its readers. That’s how it is: a fashion blog, especially in the Philippines, involves baring one’s soul. After all, style is personal.

Fashion blogs in the Philippines are earning more and more readers by philippine flag 1the minute. Europe used to be the seat of fashion in decades past; however, Asia is fast becoming the center of fashion. They say Asians are bolder, funkier, much younger in the way they express themselves through fashion. Even the fashion blogs in the Philippines are gaining attention as more and more fashion magazines feature fashion bloggers in their pages.

For example, Preview magazine’s March 2010 issue featured a few Filipino fashion bloggers. Most of the fashion blogs, however, already have their own websites – in other words, they’ve gone mainstream long ago. What now of the little bloggers who strive to show their personal taste in fashion?

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“Our Favorite Wardrobe Bloggers” featured in Preview magazine’s March 2010 issue

As for the many fashion blogs in the Philippines who are just starting to establish their roots, perhaps it will take time before the rest of the online Filipino community will catch onto them. But Filipino fashion blogs are rather refreshing compared to other more formal, more polished blogs. I prefer fashion raw, unadulterated – and unsponsored. Oops, there goes my chance of getting paid as a Filipino fashion blogger. clip_image001

You see, the little bloggers are the ones who actually walk the streets in the clothes they actually blog about. Their style and statements fashion-wise are street-worthy. Not that mainstream fashion blogs in the Philippines have anything less; however, with the absence of sponsors, underground fashion blogs in the Philippines have no choice but to rely on their instincts, see with unbiased eyes, and choose what they feel is best for their fashion integrity.

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Fashion blogs in the Philippines will soon have their moment. In the meantime, little fashion bloggers like myself will just have to invest some sweat and tears into our fashion blogs. Soon enough, soon enough.

Work In Progress

I’ve been working on a few trinkets and accessories and I just realized something: this is a lot of work. But I love burning my fingers every so often with my glue gun, so shoot me. image
flower trinket princess 
My blog-slash-online shop is still a work in progress, I know. But soon enough, I’ll be talking about fashion trends and showing my own clothes and accessories, together with a few great finds and some original pieces that I have. It will take time before I can say I have a properly running fashion blog in the Philippines. But here’s one blog post headed to that goal. image

Meanwhile, I’m setting down my crown for the night. I need my beauty sleep for a pictorial tomorrow. Until then, the Trinket Princess is signing out. See you soon!

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