Volunteers model Patis Tesoro’s fashion collection during A Gala Evening Celebrating Philippine Design, Textile and Fashion at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center June 11. PH EMBASSY PHOTOS/IVAN GONZALES
WASHINGTON, DC — A diverse crowd of U.S. government officials, members of the Washington diplomatic corps, the Filipino American community and the general public made a beeline for “A Gala Evening Celebrating Philippine Design, Textile and Fashion” June 11, which put the spotlight on the Philippines’ unique fabric, piña, and designs using it.
Piña (pineapple fabric) took center stage, with the “Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion” Patis Tesoro making her Washington debut at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in commemoration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Guests cheered Tesoro’s collection of some 60 breathtaking pieces made from piña, considered the finest of all Philippine hand-woven fabrics. Tesoro was given a standing ovation at the end of the show.
“Congratulations are in order! It was such a success! Patis Tesoro is definitely an icon of Philippine fashion design,” said Lucie Patton, chair of Flower Mart 2015.
“Kudos to you all for putting on such an elegant yet trendy and fun event! Quite a wonderful nod to the beautiful Philippine community,” said guest Lydia Benson the event sponsored by the US-Philippines Society with the Philippine Embassy.
“Philippine fashion has earned world-class recognition, and the US-Philippines Society is pleased to sponsor this gala as a way to share with you stunning examples of some truly innovative advances in design,” said Ambassador John Negroponte, Co-Chair of the Society.
In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. pointed out that since piña production is an age-old tradition in the Philippines, the evening was a celebration of the uniqueness and beauty the country has to offer.
“Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion” Patis Tesoro, talks about her piña collection and the piña production process.
“This Gala Evening is a fitting culmination of a month-long tribute to Philippine indigenous fabrics and the individuals who turn them into exquisite works of art. Piña has long been a symbol of elegance and sophistication and, in many ways, is a celebration of the Filipino people’s innate creativity and dynamism in constantly changing times,” said Cuisia.
The envoy also dedicated the Gala Evening to the women behind the creation of one of the most exquisite, sought-after handmade fabrics in the world.
The majority of the piña produced in the Philippines comes from the province of Aklan, with numerous families depending on the piña industry for livelihood. In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan devastated Aklan and seriously affected piña production.
The Gala Evening was a way for people in the U.S. to contribute to the preservation and enrichment of the piña industry in the Philippines, as proceeds of the event will benefit Aklan Piña MANTrA, a women-led fiber production microenterprise.
“With your generous support, we aim to give the women of Aklan hope and help them rebuild their lives after Typhoon Haiyan disrupted their main source of livelihood. We dedicate the success of this Gala Evening to them,” Cuisia stated.
Guests were also treated to other uniquely Filipino designs. Also on display at the Ronald Reagan Building were signature pieces by multi-awarded furniture designer and manufacturer Kenneth Cobonpue.
Among the special guests Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.
WATCH: Video of “A Gala Evening Celebrating Philippine Design, Textile and Fashion”
Other sponsors of the event included the Philippine Department of Tourism, Karma Beauty Lounge by Erwin Gomez, All Nippon Airways, Megaworld, Philip Morris, The Filipino Channel and U.S. Education Finance Group.
Through her work, Tesoro shares her knowledge of the elaborate piña production process with the belief that knowing how piña fiber is made will help bring the age-old craft to the modern times. As part of her Washington visit, Tesoro delivered a lecture entitled “The Piña Process” on 12 June at the George Washington University Textile Museum.
Tesoro’s and Cobunpue’s pieces are on exhibit and open to the public at The Gallery of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center until July 15.
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