Cordillera’s Kandama Collective clothing line showcasing the beauty and intricacy of Ifugao fabric is set to hit the New York Fashion Week runway in September.
The Filipino social entreprise will highlight the weaves of women of Julongan village in Kiangan, Ifugao for The Society Fashion Week in New York on September 7.
Kandama Collective founder Victor Baguilat Jr. shared in an Inquirer interview that their goal is to empower women through their looms and skills without harming the environment and the ones who patronize them. Kandama, after all, means “power” in the language of Ifugao, the Tuwali.
“We want to facilitate the empowerment of indigenous women and for those who wear us to feel their power within,” said Baguilat who himself has Ifugao heritage.
Filipino textile has been getting world attention through various efforts from artisans, designers, celebrities, and the government.
Reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray has championed various Filipino native textile in her outfits during the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand and in other activities related to her duties such as visiting the MU Headquarters in New York City, and attending a fundraising event in Canada.
The Department of Science and Techonology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) has also initiated the infusion of indigenous fabric in government uniforms. The Davao Fashion Design Council was also invited to produce Mindanaoan traditional clothes for the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Kandama Collective also won the hearts of Filipino celebrities such as Gary Valenciano, Morissette Amon, and Marian Rivera-Dantes who personally reached out to order modern coat and terno using indigenous fabric.
Kandama Collective is bringing the indigenous weaves to the United States coming off its successful international stint at the Paris Fashion Week 2019 held at the Eiffel Tower in France and at the Melbourne Fashion Festival in Australia.
Catch the Kandama Collective at the Broad Street Ballroom, 41 Broad Street, New York City on September 7, 8:30 PM (New York time).
SEND well wishes in the comments below to Kandama Collective for showcasing Filipino indigenous weaves on international runways!
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