The Philippines put its best foot forward during the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by Manila, with 21 heads of state and their respective delegations coming over to discuss trade and economic opportunities. Aside from business and commerce, fashion also took center stage with the spouses of trade and foreign ministers attending the APEC Ministerial Meeting getting a glimpse of Philippine fashion in a cultural program and luncheon hosted by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry at the Ayala Museum.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario’s spouse Gretchen and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo’s better half Maria Aurea Rowena Domingo welcomed the guests led by Jenny Morel Bollard, spouse of APEC executive director Allan Bollard and Nguyen Thanh Huong, wide of ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh.
A brief orientation on Philippine history plus a fashion show featuring hand-painted and embroidered modern barong designs by Barong Filipino, Filipiniana finery by Raffaella and Nuevo Ystilo from Kultura was one of the highlights of the program.
Guests were impressed by the elegant collection of uniquely Filipino designs with a modern twist. Kultura's fashion presentation featured four collections: Tribal, which showcases indigenous influences; Floral, which highlighted blooms in delicate hand painting and appliqués; Black & White, which celebrated the contrast of colors; and Traditional, which showcased classic Filipino attire.
The spouses also visited Kultura at SM Aura where they were welcomed with the traditional maglalatik dance. They were also given a cigar rolling demonstration. At the Kultura store, the ladies were able to get a glimpse of artisanal finds from all over the country: South Sea pearls, Mother of Pearl clutches, and abaca wraps. Items for the home like the nito baskets with Mangyan motifs and tableware and decor made of indigenous materials like tinalak, capiz, sea grass and rattan were also showcased.