Fiber Fashion Fair: Showcasing Iloilo Indigenous Fabrics

photo courtesy of Aswang Photography, designs by Ian Jorda, Hair and Make-up by John Montinola

For centuries, Ilonggo weavers have used local fibers from pineapple, Manila hemp, banana and palm to weave fabrics. On October 5-11, 2014, weaving communities from Miagao, Oton, Igbaras, Duenas and Badiangan, Iloilo will showcase their hand-woven fabrics at the 8^th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair at the event center of SM City Iloilo, the longest-running and the only one of its kind in Iloilo.

photography courtesy of Aswang Photography, designs by Ian Jorda, 

Hair and Make-up by John Montinola

Organized by the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism of the Iloilo Provincial Government and SM City Iloilo, the Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair annually promotes local talent in the use and design of local fibers. This collaboration weaves together the artisans, local designers, and most importantly you, our future advocates.

photography courtesy of Aswang Photography, design by Ian Jorda,
Hair and Make-up by John Montinola

Popular fashion designers such as Lexter Badana, Binky Pitogo, Ian Jorda, John Montinola and Joseph Aloysius Montelibano will showcase their masterpieces made from local fabrics such as hablon, patadyong and polyhemp in a fashion show and trade exhibit.

The week-long trade event will feature Ilonggo exhibitors engaged in the production and design of local fabrics and hand-woven handicrafts will start on October 6-11. A daily weaving demonstration will be the centrepiece of the trade event. Fashion shows at the Event Center every 5:30 in the afternoon starting October 5-11, 2014.

hablon mini dress by Ian Jorda, Hair and make-up by John Montinola,
 photography courtesy of Aswang Photography

The event aims at supporting and preserving artisan cooperatives while spreading the beauty of handmade, eco fashion. The project hopes to open investment opportunities especially in the production of these fabrics. It also aims to challenge and encourage Ilonggos and local designers to use these local fibers in their wardrobes.

The Indigenous process of making elegant eco-friendly fashion starts with the specific skills of the individual artisan.  The traditional weaving skills of artisans passed down for thousands of years lay the ground work for these beautiful textiles that employ traditional weaving techniques. Threads are placed on wooden looms, often in an artisan's home work space, where they hand weave the fabric as their ancestors before them.

patadyong and hablon mini dress by Ian Jorda, Make-up by John Montinola,
photography by Aswang Photography

Developing a local product that is globally competitive is important for Iloilo. For the last eight years, our founding principles have helped to enrich the path for eco-fashion and sustainability trends of today. With the continued support and cooperation between the government agencies and private sectors, The event will continue to translate local skills into a sustainable market; equip our local weavers with trends especially in the global market and will give opportunities for more fashion designers to showcase their designs.  

For more information about the event, please contact the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism at (033) 3384910 or at 09205603018.