DUBAI, Apr 12, 2015/ — Inspired by old Manila in the 1930s, Philippine-born designer Ezra Santos reinterpreted the Philippine formal wear – Barong Tagalog for men, Maria Clara for women and of course the wedding dresses.
And to add to the authenticity of the period and of course the inspiration, Mr. Santos used Piña, a fabric that is native to the Philippines.
A fabric made from the leaves of a pineapple plant mixed with silk to create a textile and considered organic by today’s standard, Piña traces its roots from at least 400 years ago.
Ezra also used inabel, another organic fabric from the Philippines. He then interspersed piña and inabel with tulle, jacquard, crepe silk and neoprene.
Sending an elegant and over the top collection that is just to die for, Ezra’s “Maria Clara Collection” alludes to the 300 years of Spanish occupancy in the Philippines which continues to have a major influence in Philippine fashion.
[MARI DAVIS]
Photos by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Fashion Forward
