 Filipinos, while joyously embracing western culture, have sometimes adorned western clothing with Asian-inspired motifs.
While not a lot of Filipinos adhere to this fashion style, there is definitely a niche for those who are very Makabayan (nationalistic) and those who embrace the fashion sense of Grace Nono, Cynthia Alexander, and Joey Ayala wholeheartedly. Because of this, Philippine mall chains like industry bulwark SM have devoted a Filipiniana section in their department stores.
Also following this lead is the Pinqtreasures group of stores owned by Pinky Tan. Pinqtreasures carries ethnic bags, accessories and jewelry. Its branch in Robinson’s Galleria has an entire line of bags, shawls and jewelry, while other branches carry only silver jewelry.
Pinqtreasures is home not only to beautiful bags but also to exquisite shawls, ethnic earrings, and other exotic accessories. It’s indeed a nonconformist woman’s paradise.
Pinqtreasures, being a brand that focuses on native and ethnic fashion, also showcases its wares in the Kultura section of SM.
Kultura is an affiliation of Filipino merchants who specialize in Philippine wear, crafts, souvenir items and even furniture. It is a stylish boutique and can be found in select branches of SM.
Kultura features a diverse collection of Filipiniana, from the traditional Filipino garb Baro’t Saya and Barong Tagalog; souvenir items such as snakeskin and Capiz shell picture frames; weavework and even Capiz shell boxes, Capiz shell vases; to candles, kitchenwares, Sigay lanterns, shell-encrusted clocks and other decor. There are even dolls in traditional Filipino costumes.
Kultura also carries souvenir shirts from all over the Philippine Islands, interesting-looking cloth as well as buntal bags, the material of which come from the inner fibers of the palm tree.
There are needlework bags, shawls and ponchos, even crocheted swimwear and slippers, from leather to banig-lined. Banig is a material made out of dried palm fronds woven together. There are also wicker hampers, which look pretty interesting because the weave and the texture look different. Kultura even has an eye-catching array of Tabacalera cigars. And who could forget the Filipino party staple, the Magic Sing videoke microphone? When you enter SM Makati’s branch of Kultura, you’ll be greeted by a salesperson belting out his vocal chords on the Magic Sing.
 If a woman wants to project an elegant look and at the same time accentuate it with an exotic flavor, an ethnic-inspired piece, like a pair of ethnic chandelier earrings, or a bead necklace, would surely give an edgy feel to the outfit. Ethnic items create drama to an otherwise sterile look. Not only that, since ethnic items catch the eye and pique the interest, these can also become great conversation pieces.
Enhancing your home with ethnic items from a Filipiniana boutique like Kultura would make it more elegant. Filipino designer housewares, after all, are all about the marriage of functionality and style. If you happen to like a minimalist look for your house’s interior design, adding Filipiniana items would make your home look more interesting, and the artistry would speak of taste.
Beyond the fashion, nationalism and embracing one’s roots are at the heart of stores like Kultura and Pinqtreasures. Like its definition, Kultura being the Filipino word for culture, these stores still dare to showcase Philippine culture and heritage amidst the growing globalism. And they do it with flair and panache. Truly, this is Filipino culture at the pinnacle of its wearability and functionality.
|
