(From left) Joel Escober, Dong Omaga-Diaz, Joyce Makitalo, Malou Romero and Amina Aranaz-Alunan
The Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines and Kultura celebrate Filipino craftsmanship in their collaboration for Crafts for a Cause foundations in “Gifts That Give Back” on October 11 at SM Makati.
Joel Escober’s elegant striped jacket embellished with floral appliqués
“Gifts That Give Back” highlights unique pieces such as handmade brass accessories, crocheted straw sandals, totes and apparel that are inspired by the diversity of the Filipino culture, bridging recycled materials and artisan crafts.
FDCP designers worked closely with Crafts for a Cause foundations to create innovative pieces for the event: Maco Custodio with Gkonomics, Joey Enriquez with Invisible Sisters, Gerry Sunga with Gifts and Graces, and Joyce Makitalo with Likha ni Inay and Gifts and Graces.
Happy Andrada’s collection features organic materials fused with woven wonders by cultural communities from Benguet and Lake Sebu
Designers Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Malou Romero for Joanique, Happy Andrada, Joel Escober and Dong Omaga-Diaz offer collections where part of the proceeds will go to the foundations.
Custodio describes his work as minimalist due to of his industrial design background. “I like to play with lines and my work is very architectural,” he says.
Enriquez, who comes from a family that has been one of the most respected shoemakers in Marikina since the 1950s, has designed footwear for the Invisible Sisters foundation, a social enterprise that teaches women from poor communities to crochet quality fashion products from plastic bags.
Maco Custodio’s minimalist design plays with lines and has architectural approach
Sunga, on the other hand, makes sure that the objects, structures, and woven mediums he creates must have “drama & visual impact to one’s “pointe du optique.” His collaboration with Gifts and Graces will give the social enterprise a new design perspective, giving workers the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Jewelry designer Makitalo is known for her bold, almost talisman-inspired approach to necklaces, pendants, bangles and rings that echo the allure and enigma of civilizations past. Her chunky pieces highlight varied rough, irregularly shaped semi-precious stones that are cleverly set on brass and metals.
Gerry Sunga’s intricate pieces
Crafts for a Cause is Kultura’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that started in 2010. Through Crafts for a Cause, foundations are able to make their products accessible to a mainstream market and the increased demand for products naturally leads to more livelihood opportunities for members of adopted communities.
Kultura’s advocacy has opened up opportunities to elevate the designs of their products, sustain and expand their livelihood programs, resulting in increased productivity and income.
The talented designers of FDCP
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