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From: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=83048

APPLES’ PICKINGS
Pinoy style

By Apples Aberin Sadhwani
Inquirer
First Posted 10:51pm (Mla time) 08/17/2007

TODAY, WE CHOOSE TO celebrate Filipino talent, craftsmanship and ingenuity. No special occasion, really. We’ve always had the strongest urge to share with you information on designers and brands that are uniquely Pinoy, and as such, never fail to make us proud.

We hope they spark that flame of Pinoy pride in you, too.

Indigenous ideals

First off, we laud MODI (Modern Indigenous), a lifestyle line that merges traditional crafts with modern design and function. With the goal of increasing the value of crafts made by Philippine indigenous communities such as the Mangyans, T’bolis, Higaonons, to name a few, Modi brings together Philippine tribal artisans and city-bred designers to produce special products that feature culture-bound crafts presented in contemporary ways.

The Modi collection reflects rawness, which echoes the simple life of the indigenous artisan. The culture of these artisans translates to precious, one-of-a-kind products not meant for mass consumption.

With Modi’s help, designers can create pieces that are distinctly Pinoy. But more importantly, with Modi’s assistance, the livelihood of many indigenous artists is supported and strengthened.

The current Modi line was crafted with the help of designers Ritchie Ortega, Tracie Anglo-Dizon, Mara Cosculluela and Kirby Quintal, Ito Kish and Gabby Lichauco. It is available in Souk (in Serendra), Ito Kish and Crossings Dept. Store, to name a few outlets. Visit www.modiphilippines.com.

Praise for Papa

We celebrate accessories designer Arnel Papa, who is known for his highly artistic and ultra-stylish creations. This reluctant craftsman (he always wanted to be a doctor) was fortunately convinced by his father to get into the family business.

Set to open his first boutique in Greenbelt 5 by October, Arnel always makes it a point to create pieces that are exclusive and distinctive. Drawing inspiration from the things around him, he creates masterpieces made of local materials like carabao horn, mother of pearl and coco wood, combined with copper and brass.

In five years’ time, “Hopefully, I will be well-known, not only in the art industry, but also as someone who’s helping promote our own crafts worldwide,” he says.

Crazy for Cary

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of designer Cary Santiago. The Cebu-based couturier (and we’re not using the term lightly) has taken the fashion industry by storm with his exquisitely made gowns and dresses (pleated and laser-cut to perfection, mind you).

He actually learned various couture techniques while working for a couture house in Beirut. “I learned a lot working with a master craftsman from the house of Balmain. This was what opened and polished my dressmaking techniques and the discipline that I now apply to my everyday work.”

The ever-humble designer says he is, even now, learning and discovering new things. “I opened my shop (in Cebu) a year ago when the war with Israel broke. And I find that everyday at work is still a learning process,” he says.

Asked to describe his design style, Cary says, “My silhouettes may change, but my expertise—the techniques and modes that I’ve developed through the years, the craftsmanship and stitching and even the seamless gowns—remains the signature of every piece I create.”

Tote for the day

“I always say I like to ‘de-ethnicize the ethnic,’” says bag designer Amina Aranaz-Alunan, whom we absolutely adore. “I like manipulating our indigenous materials to create surprisingly chic and modern fashion pieces.”

She’s been known to design breathtaking pieces such as oversized plastic totes combined with wooden and straw accents, and little coco disco bags that had Manila’s fashionistas lining up.

Says Amina, “I like being able to surprise my customers with the numerous usages of local materials, thus giving them a renewed appreciation for Filipino craftsmanship and handiwork.”

It’s no accident that this cum laude graduate of Master Accessories Design at the Istituto Marangoni is into the art of designing and crafting bags. “My mom, Becky, continues to be an exporter of women’s bags. So I grew up in the business. The bag factory became my playground and the venue that allowed me to explore my creative side.”

Currently, Amina is busy working on her holiday collections (inspired by Paul Poiret and geometrics), which will be available in Aranaz, her stand-alone boutique in Powerplant. And to share her knowledge and know-how, she will also be opening a school called School of Fashion & Arts (SOFA) in the last quarter of this year.

“Fashion education is something that I had always dreamt of doing. There is a rising yearning for fashion education out there, so I think now is the right time to open a school,” she says.

Silk sensation

Her strong belief that Filipinos could create world-class products led designer Jean Goulbourn to launch Silk Cocoon in 1994, a line of high-end silk-based fabric for fashion and interiors. Although the brand is also renowned for its power barongs and women’s fashion, it is recognized for trailblazing the export of textiles to prestigious names in the fashion, interior design and hospitality industries.

Big names like Nina Ricci, Christian LaCroix, Loewe and Donna Karan have reportedly ordered textiles from Silk Cocoon. Textiles for interiors have also been exported to countless architects and distributors around the globe, especially in Europe.

Silk Cocoon has also had the honor of dressing visiting foreign dignitaries, beginning with the 1996 Apec Summit, then the Asean Summit last January 2007, and again the Asean Foreign Ministers meeting last month.

Jean’s vision, combined with passion, creativity and hard work, has put Filipino artistry on the world map. Now that’s something to celebrate.

Email the author at afashion@inquirer.com.ph