Wearable Art

A few weeks ago, my parents and I went to this Bicol products fair at Shangrila Mall. 

They had the usual roster of products, like abaca and rattan products, pili nuts and its different derivatives, Paracale gold, Laing, and other Bicolano dishes.

But one booth stood out to me. It sold clothing, but with a very artistic twist.

The owner was an artist who does her own paintings, then prints them on fabric. From there, she makes various creations, including dresses, blouses, and other Filipiniana outfits.

The one that caught my eye was also the piece that eventually made it home. 

This is a bib blouse with a barong tagalog print. The blue artwork is the owners original art, and she added the barong pattern to give it the total barong Tagalog feels. It was so chic, creative and local.

And just like how barongs are usually paired with dark pants, I've paired it with a straight cut, dark denim jeans.

Now, this is modern Filipinana.

Now, this is art.

Aye, Aye, Admiral!

Mark had this week-long planning at The Admiral Hotel, and went there yesterday to have breakfast with him.

It's been ages since my last visit to this hotel, and was so surprised at how much it has changed!

Now called "The Admiral Hotel M Gallery," they've renovated and - true to their name - it's now like a gallery filled with art. 

The ceiling alone is a work of art - a stained glass masterpiece with different iconic Philippine scenes. And cascading down from the ceiling are paper pieces with the baybayin. Splended!

The rooms are super nice, too. Mark's room had this metal artwork of Sagada. 

We should go back and have a staycation here soon.

Wood you?

We walked this trail in Seogwipo, and it was interesting how a waterfall could be found within the city, just beside the main highway! We weren't able to take a shot of that falls, though.

What we were able to take photos of are the sculptures that line the forest area.

They're animals made of wood that fell from the trees in the forest. It's so clever because it repurposed wood into something both visually stunning and useful.

Free the Frida

Even before going on my exchange program in Mexico, I've always been a huge fan of Frida Kahlo and her art.

Being an art fan even as a grade schooler, I'd already look at art books and was always enamoured by her paintings. The colours, vibrance and the occasional surrealism - they were so unique and creative and was uniquely her.

The 2002 film "Frida" was something that I re-watched so many times. And the icing on the "pastel" was going to Mexico and seeing some of her works in person.

Imagine my thrill when Shein came out with a Frida Kahlo collection!

This is so unique and it's the first of its kind in my eyes. Needless to say, several items from this collection have already found itself home.

Further proof that fashion is art.

Cross, My heart

While looking for Mexican folk crosses on-line, I found these wooden, hand painted crosses.

Just like the ones in Mexico which are hand-made works of art, these crosses are lovingly handmade by a Filipino artist's hands with different patterns, including one that's inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Although this wasn't exactly what I was looking for, my heart leapt with joy after seeing them. Thus, I got this pair.

But I'll still be on the lookout for those Mexican-style crosses.

Mystery, revealed!

After more than a year of wondering about the mystery statue in SM Megamall, I finally saw the actual and uncovered art piece!

And no, it wasn't Henry Sy Sr.! It's a sculpture by Filipino-American artist JEFRE, and is entitled "Time."

Can't wait to drop by SM Megamall and see this up close. While I've read about the sculpture online, it would be good to find out more about the concept and story behind this revelation.

State of the Art

Trust Plains & Prints to keep local fast fashion followers excited to dress up for summer.

They just dropped their Summer 2022 collection which is a collaboration with 3 young and dynamic artists.

Since they started sharing teasers for this collection, I've been watching out for it on their website. And now that they've shown both the Lookbook and the actual clothes, they're so beautifully illustrated and well-designed.

I'm looking out for - and buying - the ones made by Soleil. Her art style and aesthetic are both feminine and powerful.

This truly is wearable art!

The Art of the skirt

I've written about several art-inspired dresses the past few months.

I've also written about several cool skirts the past few months.

Now, I'm writing about a cool, art-inspired skirt I found recently.

Here it is!

The first time I saw this art-printed skirt in some hidden corner of Robinson's Galleria, all I could say was: "sublime!" It was so sublime, I had to buy it on the spot.

Because the skirt is so ornate, the accompanying top should be very simple. But simplicity doesn't have to mean boring. That's where this off-shoulder top with long sleeves comes in.

Now that's an artful ensemble!

Art of the dress

It would be easy to think that this piece of art is a painting. A nice, Chinese themed painting. After all, it has all these oriental looking flowers, and a preening peacock.

But that beautiful print is actually on a dress. A very artfully done dress.

Talk about wearable art.

Illustrating a point

I'm a very visual person. That's why I was drawn to illustrations, even as a young boy.

I'd read the comic page more for the drawings rather than the text. That's how I fell in love with the illustration styles of Mandrake the Magician, Dick Tracy and The Phantom.

When I was in primary school, there were certain illustration styles that caught my eye and became favorites. And some of them are favorites up until now.

One of my favorites is Vallotton's illustrations for the bible. I first saw her work on the bible we had at home. Her style is very simple, heartfelt and genuine. Which is the perfect style for the Holy Bible.



Another all-time favorite was Jim Davis' illustration of Garfield. I was so into Garfield that I could (and still can) draw him from memory.



When I was in college, I started collecting "The Far Side" books, mainly because of Gary Larson's quirky illustrations. They're very linear, but they capture so much emotion and fun in just one go.



In terms of fashion illustration, Alber Elbaz definitely tops my list. His work is a bit abstract and devoid of continuous lines. But still, you can see his clothes and feel the message in his drawings.



And finally, Doo Ri Chung's fashion illustrations are also favorites of mine. Her drawings go beyond the stereotypical tall, lithe and modelesque fashion illustrations that we're used to. This on is more avant-garde and quirky, and that's why it's such a joy to look at them.



I try to sketch, but I fail at it oftentimes. So, I'll just live my passion for sketching through these masterful illustrations from my favorites.