Childhood bliss accompanies Filipino fashion as Awit at Laro launches Baro at Sayá. The fashion show presents unique collections inspired by traditional street games and promotes Filipino culture and heritage. Local designers Paloma Zobel, Rajo Laurel, Anne Marie Saguil, Marga Nograles, Len Cabili, Zarah Juan, Ito Curata, and Rhett Eala headline the fashion show on September 22. It is a much-awaited project that benefits UNICEF, Tukod Foundation, and Museo Pambata.
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Promoting music and the arts
Tukod Foundation Bambi Mañosa-Tanjucto and UNICEF Ambassador Gary Valenciano spearheaded Awit at Laro last year. The campaign promotes Filipino culture through music and the arts. The project launched an eponymous music album featuring songs on traditional games. This promotion of the Filipino culture continues this September through Baro at Sayá. Top fashion designers drew inspiration from the Awit at Laro album to create beautiful and modern apparel. The style pieces use ethnic weavings, embroidery, and designs. The collections will be presented in the runway while songs from Awit at Laro play in the background.
Tapping top local designers
Top designers in the country shared their influences for their collection. For Rajo Laurel, he simply asked his nephews and nieces to paint on the fabric he bought. The result was a vibrant and playful print on Rajo’s style pieces. Like Rajo, Paloma Zobel placed the Filipino family at the forefront of her collection. She shares the value in cherishing traditions and child-like mentality. Thus, she asked brand ambassadors to design their dream outfits, promoting creativity and spending time with family and friends.
Len Cabili highlighted her children’s line as childhood games are close to her heart. She started Filip + Inna, a brand that promotes craftsmanship and artisans in the Philippines. Likewise, Anne Marie Saguil empowers Filipino culture in her collection. Using ‘fun’ and ‘play’ as central themes, her pieces featured a younger and playful vibe. “But [it is] always suitable for the adult modern Filipina,” Anne Marie says. Rhett Eala also had a modern take in mind in redesigning the Filipiniana. He combined fabrics and embroidery techniques to make his collection wearable every day.
For Ito Curata, he used his childhood memories and moments with his son for his collection. The pieces complement any woman’s body type yet bring out her innate beauty. Like Ito, Zarah Juan turned to memories of playing piko for inspiration. Her unique, beautiful bags and espadrilles come in various bright colors and shapes that make for a playful style ensemble. Marga Nograles in her Kaayo fashion line also highlighted the ‘fun’ yet stressed the traditional weaves in her works.
Heirloom pieces
With all these unique collections, style enthusiasts can certainly pass these on as heirloom pieces. Apart from its beauty, each piece highlights the rich Filipino culture, heritage, and memories of childhood bliss.
The Baro at Sayá by Awit at Laro fashion show will be held on September 22, 2019, at the Grand Hyatt Manila, BGC, Taguig City. For ticket bookings, reservation, and other details please contact Executive Director of Tukod Foundation Inc. Ann Loren Yu at 0917-123-2724. The Baro at Sayá by Awit at Laro fashion show is co-presented by Grand Hyatt Manila.
