8th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair

The annual Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair represent many women from low-income families who have joined together to establish self-sufficiency and find markets for their work.  Our local fabrics of Patadyong, Polyabaca and Hablon will be given life through modern designs presented on the catwalk by local designers on August 24-28, 2015 at the Event Center of SM City Iloilo.

August 24 (Monday) will showcase Miagao LGU at 4 p.m. and ANYAG featuring Ram Silva at 5p.m.; August 25 (Tuesday) will feature HABOL ANINIPAY with Jose Marcial Luigi Escullar at 5 p.m.; August 26 (Wednesday) opens with the youth of Duenas in an accessory fashion show at 4 p.m. and HABLON MODA with Francis Ian Chua at 5 p.m.; August 27 (Thursday) will highlight John Montinola in HABOL ILONGGO at 5 p.m.; August 28 (Friday) will have PRECIOSA with Sidney Eculla to close the event show at 5 p.m.

Textiles remain an important aspect of Filipino culture. The designs woven into the cloth, and the forms of dress differ from region to region in the Philippines. The wearing of traditional dress using indigenous textiles is a sign of pride and solidarity.

Textiles were of great importance especially in the past. They were a form of wealth, and designated status. The making of cloth was a state concern, and the best weavers from among the many in the area were made to weave exclusively for the elite in the community.

In recent years, our local fabrics had been the object of many designers. The supply of old textiles in the local markets has been depleted and at the same time, interest in these textiles has also engendered a renewed interest in handloom weaving. This has led to the reintroduction of weaving in places where the traditions had been abandoned.

Today, in Iloilo, the towns of Miagao, Oton, Badiangan, Igbaras and Duenas continue to weave. The local textiles such as the patadyong, polyabaca and hablon remain at the center of the economic life of many women in the community. These towns are trusted by all for expertise in handloom-weaving known for their traditional designs and skilled craftsmanship. The details of pattern and color carry a symbolic meaning that identifies the locality, the function and the gender of the user.

Most weaving communities have gradually grown and established in the field of traditional handloom-weaving, with the favorable support from the local government and other agencies.

  

In an initiative to promote handloom weaving and its products; and lead to increase in income of weavers, the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism of the Iloilo Provincial Government with SM City Iloilo holds the Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair. The first event was launched in 2008.

The annual celebration generates awareness about the importance of handloom industry as a part of our rich heritage and culture of the Ilonggos. The Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair is expected to improve livelihoods of rural women while offering customers quality and fairly traded products. Their earnings will substantially improve their livelihoods and give them a level of financial security they could not gain otherwise.  The capacity to earn good income also increases the women’s confidence and status in their communities and contributes to improving gender equality. Over 100 women are engaged in handloom weaving and allied activities in Iloilo as per the last handloom census.

The 8th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair is brought to you by the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism of the Iloilo Provincial Government and SM City Iloilo. It is also brought to you by The Daily Guardian, Iloilo Models Guild (IMG), John Montinola and DTI.