NeoTextiles Philippines Designers Collaborate with Regional Weavers

Two Filipina textile designers, Amina Aranaz-Alunan (known for her line of bags fashioned from indigenous and eco-friendly materials) and Olivia d’Aboville (whose work is greatly influenced by her deep concern for the environment) collaborate with age old weaving communities of Visayas and Mindanao to combine traditional techniques with 21st-century flair.

The sought-after fashion designers Aranaz-Alunan and d’Aboville create collections of fabrics with innovative, exquisite, and contemporary designs that are an expression of a strong will to influence the consumers’ perspective on textiles.

“There is a great creative potential and cultural value in merging traditionally woven fabrics and up-to-date design ideas, especially now that artisanal and heritage crafts are steadily taking a prestigious place in the high street,” said Rosvi Gaetos, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

The tradition of weaving fabrics in Visayas and Mindanao is an elaborate, spiritual art that intertwines with society, history, and the lives of individuals.

The craft, in danger of fading in the face of technological advancement, industrialization, and culture of mass production and the weaving communities, on the other hand, in danger of vanishing from our culture and society, are now being revived and restored through an endeavor called the NeoTextiles Philippines, which was launched last year by CITEM, the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

These textile products carrying the designs of Aranaz-Alunan and d’Aboville are hand-crafted by the weaving communities of the Visayas and Mindanao regions all under the Material Development Program of DTI-CITEM: Heritage Arts and Crafts of Aklan, Negros Silk Manufacturers’ Association of Negros Occidental, Tinukib and Salngan Multi- Purpose Cooperative of Iloilo, Tubigon Loomweavers Multi- Purpose Cooperative of Bohol, the Higaunon Women Weavers of Bukidnon with Custom Made Crafts Center, and the T’boli Weavers of Klowil Multi-Purpose Cooperative of South Cotabato.

Also contributing to the NeoTextiles Philippines Material Development Program are That One Piece Enterprise, which manufactures accent and decorative lighting, furniture and furnishings, and the ARANÁZ fashion accessories company.

The creations will all be in display at the Manila FAME at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City on October 16-19.