Kultura and the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines celebrate Filipino craftsmanship with Gifts That Give Back, a collaboration between Kultura’s Crafts for a Cause foundations and the FDCP’s designers at SM Makati. Just in time for the holidays, the event will also help communities, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Crafts for a Cause foundations.
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. For this, 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, Amina Aranaz-Alunan with Isla Para sa Kaunlaran and Joyce Makitalo with Likha ni Inay and Gifts and Graces.
Designers Malou Romero for Joanique, Happy Andrada, Joel Escober and Dong Omaga-Diaz are offering collections whose part of the proceeds will go to the said foundations.
Maco describes his work as “minimalist,” due to his industrial design background. “I like to play with lines and my work is very architectural,” he says.
Joey comes from a family that has been one of the most respected shoe makers in Marikina since the 1950s. In Kultura’s Gifts That Give Back, Joey designed footwear for the Invisible Sisters foundation, a social enterprise that teaches women from poor communities to crochet quality fashion products from plastic bags.
Gerry makes sure that the objects, structures, and woven mediums he creates must have “drama and visual impact to one’s pointe du optique.” He believes that art should be both functional and wearable. 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 Joyce 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. Joyce’s chunky pieces highlight varied rough, irregularly shaped semi-precious stones that are cleverly set on brass and metals.
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 also works with CFAC foundations in developing and improving the quality and design of their products. Likewise, with Kultura serving as a large venue to sell their products, foundations gain the means to fund projects such as community development, skills training, education and nutrition.
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.
Gifts That Give Back featured items will be available at Kultura in SM Makati.
Kultura stores are located at SM Aura Premier, SM Makati, SM Megamall, the SM Mall of Asia, SM Lanang Premier, SM City Cebu, and SM Seaside City Cebu. Kultura boutiques are also located in Pico de Loro, Taal Vista, and the Molo Mansion, Iloilo.