‘Rewear, restyle, maximize’: Future-focused fashion
Thrifting has become an important part of a sustainable lifestyle for many people. Not only does it minimize resource consumption, it’s also an incredible source of unique items at a much lower price range than when buying brand new.
For this year’s United Nations Day celebration, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs Foundation Inc. (ZCME) partnered with several designers to draw inspiration from the world’s fashion capitals and rework pre-loved pieces from The Little Vintage Shop (TLVS).
The brainchild of Bayo Atelier’s Anna Lagon featured the old-turned-fresh at a one-day exhibit/auction at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier to promote the Sustainable Development Goals 5 (gender equality), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (climate action).
“As we celebrate UN Day, there is an urgent call for us to focus on something even bigger: sustainable consumerism and climate change. Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human rights issue. And it affects women disproportionately, especially those in vulnerable communities. From increased health risks to economic instability, the most devastating impacts are felt by women and girls around the world,” said ZCME president Joanne Zapanta-Andrada.
“We chose designers who we already historically have worked very well with and who do believe in the cause,” she added. “When Zonta and other women’s groups champion sustainable consumerism and fight for climate change, we are not just protecting our planet, we are advancing women’s rights, building resilience and ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all.”
Upcycling
A relatively new project of ZCME, TLVS in Taguig City sells secondhand items in order to raise funds for the psychological care of female minors who have fallen victim to sexual abuse, exploitation, child labor or human trafficking housed in Marillac Hills.
But this is not your usual ukay-ukay. “The taste level is different,” said Beatriz Accessories designer Carissa Cruz Evangelista, who was paired up with Olga Severino Martel to create bags inspired by the fashion capital Italy.
“We channeled Portofino and also the designer Valentino, on how he would interpret particular bags,” Evangelista said, explaining how they adorned a natural straw bag with bold orange accessories and wrapped the handles in scarves. Their other creation is the disco bag, a sleek, metallic envelope bag with a statement retro clasp.
Mich Araullo worked with family friend Stella Cabalatungan to upcycle two dresses and a gown, creating Mexico-inspired pieces in blazing red.
Araullo embellished a Rajo Laurel piece with tribal beadwork to adhere to their theme and add texture, while she added beads from a bucket bag and parts of a polo shirt to complete the casual look.
Hannah Barrera’s partnership with Maritess Pineda was a perfect match, with both having affinities for art as much as fashion. Barrera incorporated art into her designs with her Japan-inspired creations: Using two scarves and a vest, she recreated Hokusai’s “The Great Wave of Kanagawa” in a cocktail dress.
For the other piece, Pineda asked her to take a cue from Yayoi Kusama, so Barrera based her design on the Japanese artist’s series of paintings titled “Every Day I Pray for Love.”
‘Guilty’
Happy Andrada, who was paired up with Dr. Aileen Cheng, used a dressing robe to make New York-style Filipiniana. She cut off the flouncy skirt and turned the lace into extended sleeves.
She also cut a gown into two pieces, turning it into a crop top and flared trousers coords. She created a third edgy piece by combining three different skirts.
According to Evangelista, it was a great way to celebrate UN Day. “Creating something out of nothing is a challenge and, of course, we need to be able to live in the sustainable world right now and understand that you can create beautiful things out of things that have been discarded from before.”
“As a designer, I like to create outfits that are like separates so you can mix and match. Clothes are supposed to be worn all the time, like rewear it, restyle it, maximize it, don’t waste it,” Andrada said.
“What is harder is that people are rewearing our clothes less,” said Karen Davila, the first UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines. “If you used to have two pairs of jeans, you would wear that all your life. But now, if you look at your closet, you’re bound to have at least 10. I am guilty of that… When we buy a top, we have all colors. So when we think of our role in sustainability for fashion, we are all guilty.”
Overconsumption
“There’s always a want to own what’s new,” said Araullo, who admits to also be guilty of overconsuming. “But then we have to make more of an effort to really see what’s in our own closets and to think twice before purchasing anything. I’d like to also play a part. That’s why I agreed to the event. I think it’s for a very good cause.”
Barrera also confessed to being “that girl” who used to shop a lot without caring. “I would buy and buy, so I had a lot of clothes that I would just throw away in the end or not use at all.”
Now when she sees something she likes, Barrera said she asks herself if she truly needs it, how many times does she see herself wearing it, or where does she see herself wearing it.
“I condition my mind to actually imagining occasions and places where I will wear the clothes, or how many times I would wear it so that I know whether it’s truly worth getting or not,” she added. It has since changed her spending habits.
Barrera applauds the women of Zonta. “I admire what they do and their causes. It’s something that I could definitely see myself joining in the future.”
“We’re walking the talk, we’re really doing it. We’re society women who don’t mind getting our hands dirty,” said Zapanta-Andrada. “Together, we can create lasting change.”
