The upcoming retrospective “Terno” pays homage to beloved tastemaker Maritess Pineda, capturing her eight decades of patronage for Philippine art and design.
For 80 years, Maritess Pineda has not only been among the country’s most well-known style mavens, but also a staunch supporter of Philippine arts and design. People will often find her attending a wide array of art or fashion events when she’s not hosting her own as one of the founders of the popular ArteFino Fair—a platform for showcasing beautifully-made and proudly-Filipino products for the public—as well as the Friends of Manansala Foundation. To celebrate her milestone 80th year, Art House will be mounting a retrospective show that will capture her eight decades of patronage for the country’s arts, culture, and fashion scenes. From October 24 to 27, 2024 at the Southcourt of the Power Plant Mall, Terno: Celebrating a Legacy Forged from Design and Art will bring together eight contemporary artists as they reflect and respond to eight masterful designs that have marked milestones in the life of the patron.
“It felt more meaningful and purposeful to come up with an exhibit than to throw another party,” reflects Maritess in a statement. “It was important to have an activity that would tell the story of Philippine art, heritage, and design. We were also thinking of something that could evolve in the coming years, maybe into a book or a larger exhibit.”
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Terno: A Pairing, A Symbol of Philippine Identity
The concept of Terno was hatched after poring over Maritess’s extensive archive of gowns by masters of Philippine fashion. Couture creations by Ramon Valera (the renowned National Artist for Fashion Design who was close friends with Maritess’ parents), Steve de Leon, and Patis Tesoro served as key inspiration for mounting an art show, showcasing the use of heritage fabrics.
Contemporary reimaginings of the national dress by BAYO Atelier, Len Cabili, Jor-El Espina, Rajo Laurel, and Cora Manimbo were also chosen to represent a creative revolution in everyday Philippine wear. “These gowns or dresses were also chosen because they were a part of my life’s milestones,” Maritess adds.
“It was my mother who shaped me and my preferences in fashion. She would keep her clothes in baúls [trunks]. She never discarded them,” she elaborates during a press gathering. “When we started to look through her collection, we discovered all these beautiful gowns and dresses. That’s really where it all began. At some point, people were borrowing my gowns for their books, shows, and exhibits.”
Merging Contemporary Art and Fashion
Art House then paired these design pieces with contemporary artists from its roster.These include 0270501, Enon de Belen, Alvaro Jimenez, Ronna Manansala, Anina Rubio, and Melissa Yeung-Yap.
Patis Tesoro and Jo Ann Bitagcol were also invited to partake of the creative exercise. Their works as both artists and designers are renowned for their distinctive use of heritage fabrics. For Terno, Patis will showcase never-before-seen studies of her artwork, all done on local fabrics. Meanwhile, Jo Ann will apply her signature photo prints on fabrics as a response to Len Cabili’s intricately embroidered dresses.
“My mom [Maritess] has always been a supporter of Philippine fashion and art. Her journey as a patron of both presented us with a beautiful proposition to blend fashion and art in one space,” explains Carlo Pineda, the founder of Art House. “The concept aligns with ART HOUSE’s ethos for showcasing local talent, culture and heritage. It also zooms in on materiality, which is the use of heritage fabric.”
Honoring Heritage Today
In Terno, indigenous weaves like abaca, upcycled fabrics, t’nalak, inabel, binakol, piña, and banana fibers serve as the canvas for both the designer and artist. It’s a fitting choice, given Maritess’ long standing relationship with Filipino traditional crafts.
“My exposure to fashion and the friendships I’ve made with designers from an early age led me to dedicate myself to the preservation of local heritage,” Maritess shares. “Through the years, we have seen how designers have re-imagined the Philippine dress as something you can wear everyday. They have also found a way to utilize local fabrics in their contemporary designs.”
“The show inspires the audience to regard our very own heritage fabrics through the eyes of two different disciplines, and in different eras,” Carlo expounds.
Terno honors the national dress as a fundamental part of Philippine identity. But more than that, it also endeavors to tell the story of Philippine creativity and its ecosystem through a new lens.
Terno: Celebrating a Legacy Forged from Design and Art will happen from October 24 to 27 at the Southcourt, Powerplant Mall. The exhibit will then move to the ART HOUSE Gallery at JMP Bldg Jose Cruz Street Brgy Ugong Pasig City. For more information, follow ART HOUSE (@thearthouse_) on Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Before Deadlines.
