Weaving Kalinga’s story: From highlands to the city
In recent years, traditional Filipino attire has started evolving from staid and costumey to wearable yet chic.
Gone are the days when the primary choices available made wearers look like they were participating in a choral competition or folk dance demonstrations. Other options, on the other hand, could pass as museum pieces that showcase intricate embroidery and colorful beadwork.
The selections now are more varied and updated, ranging from terno tops in vibrant palettes to wide-leg pants made of traditional woven material with indigenous patterns—contemporary takes on what used to be seen as native or ethnic. There are also handcrafted footwear, bags, and accessories.
Efforts to push the envelope of the Filipiniana fashion agenda are continuously made by advocates like Tati Miranda Fortuna. The CEO of the Escario & Fortuna corporate-wear design and manufacturing company, as well as her own Ucycle sustainable clothing venture, has teamed up once again with fashion designer Jun Escario to create the Tahi clothing line.
Everyday wardrobe
“We want people to be able to wear something like this,” Fortuna said, referring to her outfit at the media launch of her other project, Biyaya Sustainable Living Festival, “and make it part of their everyday wardrobe.”
She went on to share that her light-colored pantsuit was made of the handwoven fabric by the Mabilong community of weavers in Lubuagan town in Kalinga. Her maternal family hails from that upland province located in the Cordillera region.
“Tahi was born from the images of my childhood in Kalinga, where the vibrant beauty of traditional weaves surrounded me,” she told Lifestyle in an interview.
“I was always captivated by the pride Kalinga women and men took in wearing their cultural attire. Drawing on my experience in corporate fashion, I envisioned creating daily wear that celebrates our rich weaving heritage.”
Honoring weavers
Fortuna explained that Tahi, whose name is derived from the Filipino word for “sewn,” “evokes bespoke, tailored pieces made from handwoven fabrics by skilled artisans.” It also honors the “loving craftsmanship of our local tailors of the past” while preserving cultural heritage.
Aside from indigenous weaves, she said their clothing line also uses sustainable materials such as deadstock fabrics that would otherwise go to waste. This practice helps to reduce waste, promote resourcefulness, and foster environmental responsibility, she pointed out.
Fortuna also explained that Tahi’s well-crafted and made-to-last basics are designed for “effortless mixing and matching,” thus ideal for building a strong foundation.
“Creating a capsule wardrobe is a great way to streamline your style while embracing sustainability,” she said. “It ensures that every item can be worn in rotation throughout the month. To keep things fresh and interesting, accessorize with statement pieces or playful accents. This allows you to express your unique fashion personality while maximizing your options.”
In launching Tahi at the Biyaya Sustainable Living Festival’s opening today, March 14, at Parqal lifestyle mall in Parañaque City, Fortuna said they decided to tap fellow sustainability advocates to model the inaugural 40-piece collection in a fashion show. The nontraditional models would also wear accessories from the Che Che Bureche line, which, Fortuna said, infuses vibrant colors inspired by traditional weaves.
