What kind of woven fabric is wearable? Is the material comfy? Is the design just cool, or is it actually wearable for daily use?
These are some questions one might ask before trying on clothing made of traditional woven fabric. Like any person looking to find the perfect outfit to wear on the daily, we want clothing that makes us feel comfortable and will look good on us at the same time.
Material is everything! Some would prefer comfort over fashion while others would sacrifice comfort to look like they just came out of a fashion magazine.
Companies such as Balik Batik and ANTHILL Fabric Gallery have been working with wonderful teams of weavers and artisans who design and create their own finished pieces with embroidery and hand-weaving.
Balik Batik
Balik Batik is a social enterprise with a goal to spread the love for traditional Filipino artistry and weaving clothing pieces and accessories that are wearable on any day. They work with different weavers and artisans from all over the Philippines and seamstresses based in Lilo-an.
“I really wanted to promote traditional weaving and make it more well known among people like me, like the younger generation,” Veronica explained in a previous interview with g.spot. “It’s about preserving and uplifting the beauty of tradition and working to make it relevant and wearable to the modern time.”
More on g.spot: Veronica Baguio: Fabricated Stories
Perhaps the most on-point example of Balik Batik’s vision is incorporating the traditional Piña into a very modern bomber jacket. The Piña silk is also dyed pink to further give it a modern twist.
ANTHILL Fabric Gallery
Meanwhile, ANTHILL (Alternative Nest and Trading for Indigenous Little Livelihood Seekers) is a social and cultural enterprise that seeks to elevate Filipino culture through contemporary and circular designs.
Their creations are woven with pride — pride of the rich culture of the Philippines, pride of our ancestors beautifully considered the weaves as their second skin. These weaves are symbols of affinity, identity, and inclusivity.
Truly, there is something beyond design, material, and cultural preservation that we can find in these handwoven pieces. When worn, it speaks of interconnectedness and celebrates the unity of the people behind the scenes — the artisan communities, textile partners, design collaborators, production partners, and even the weave-wearers.
Definitely, these wearable weaves are beyond what people call a fashion statement. It’s about the collective work of art to express giving back to the community and appreciating the people behind the progress.
During the pandemic, both Balik Batik and ANTHILL took action in making their lifelong dream in making wearable weaves for everyone to not only support themselves but the livelihood of their weavers.
At such a difficult time, the fortitude of these companies to push for wearable weaves turned it into a ‘quarantrend’. But while wearable weaves have always been around, there is an even greater appreciation for them by Filipinos who saw the beauty of these traditional fabrics that could be worn in everyday fashion.
These unique handwoven pieces are more than just a fashion statement, they symbolize culture that is meant to be seen and shared, born from the hands of indigenous tribes all the while supporting their livelihoods.