Philippine Fashion

Mina Roces stated in her article “Women, Citizenship and the Politics of Dress in Twentieth-Century Philippines” that, “Historically, the politics of dress as express in terms of a Filipino dress/Western dress binary had gendered implications. Women as ‘bearers of tradition’ wore national dress while men wore the western suit and jacket.” After a recent visit to the Philippines and after COUNTLESS hours of being forced to watch The Filipino Channel with my mother, I can say happily say that this tradition is no longer true. If you just take a look at the couture shown during Philippine Fashion Week, you will see that women have begun adopting Westernized fashioned and combined it with their own ‘Pinay’ flare. Similar to what Professor Valverde stated in her article, “Ao Dai Revival,” Philippine fashion is a fusion of cultures, not just from the West, but with various influences throughout Asia as well. Unfortunately, according to a blog entry by Tristan Yap, while Filipina women have embraced an eclectic sense of fashion, a majority of these women will continue to remain on the runway posing as models than behind the scenes with the large population male fashion designers.


As for the Compact Challenge, I was lucky to receive a visit with my boyfriend this weekend, and, seeing how there’s not much to do in Davis at 2:00 P.M. on a Saturday, we took a trip to the mall. However, I am very lucky to have a boyfriend who both understands how much an impulse shopper I am and is very persuasive in taking me out of purchases. We made our way to the food court instead. What’s a trip to the mall without a slice of pizza from Sbarro?! Six weeks with no purchases. Go me!


Jo Anne Lasola
Post #6


Roces, Mina. "Women, Citizenship and the Politics of Dress in Twentieth-Century Philippines." Class Reader.

Valverde, Kieu Linh Caroline. "Ao Dai Revival." Ao Dai: A Modern Design Coming of Age Exhibit Catalogue.

Yap, Tristan. "Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer 2010." http://tristanyap.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/philippine-fashion-week-spring-summer-2010/

Image:
http://www.femalenetwork.com/images/articles/articleImage/Style/phil_fashion_week_08_4.jpg