There’s no reason to dampen your shopping mood just because of pandemic social distancing measures. If anything, this may be a good time to get a hefty dose of retail therapy in a much cosier private setting. 

Singapore’s The Privato Club is hosting “Philippine Collective” Pre-Christmas special event from 1-30 November. The by-invitation-only event is extended to  Privato’s VIP patrons, clients and Singapore-based media. 

To fully appreciate a private shopping experience, each shopper will be allotted 1.5 hours at a pre-booked appointment. The month-long curated, high-end event showcases the Philippines’ finest in design, fashion, accessories and bags. Shoppers will be blown away by pure aesthetics – largely handmade couture that will certainly appeal to fashionistas.

What makes shopping for these fashion items even more significant is the fact that they were and are made with care using homegrown materials and employing local skilled craftsmen as a way of giving a source of livelihood to the communities these designers work with.  Spotlighting five Filipino fashion designers, the collaboration between ‘Philippine Collective’ and Privato is a stepping-stone to future yearly collaborations.

The Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has cultivated a space where designers, producers, stylists, photographers in the fashion industry can look for proper assistance. From teaching how to apply exclusive rights on one’s goods and services to leading local brands onward to the global market, FDCP provides concrete action plans to promote the Filipino design industry. 

JC Buendia currently heads the FCDP as a three-term president. The group is devoted to promoting Filipino fashion through fellowship, constant improvement and exposure to international competitions. JC advocates the use of indigenous fabrics, specifically piña (pineapple), abel (also known as Inabel, form of weaving tradition native to the Cordillera people in northern Luzon), and t’nalak (a traditional cloth found in Mindanao island made by a group known as T’boli). FCDP has also trained women of Gawad Kalinga in terno sleeves making and beadwork. He has spent over 30 years designing wedding gowns and couture, and his work has long been immortalised on the runway and in the glossy pages of fashion magazines throughout the years. His designs are sought-after with good reason: his clothes are timeless, tailored, and elegant with a touch of romanticism. Each piece, whether it’s a modern take on a Filipiniana terno or a beautiful bespoke dress, exudes a regal and womanly sensuality that drapes perfectly on the figure, no matter the body type. These qualities are what make JC the go-to designer of local socialites, heads of state and celebrities.

Ken Samudio is a socially conscious entrepreneur designer. His unique technique explores the natural and organic forms found in nature mimicking distinct textures by using indigenous and recycled materials. He creates artworks from up-cycled beads made from water plastic bottles, recycled sea glass and other sustainable materials indigenous to his home country. Born in the Philippines, Ken is a biologist by profession specialising in marine biodiversity before he became an accessories designer. Without any formal education, he ventured into accessories design armed with raw natural talent and determination to succeed. His passion and perseverance paid off. He was selected by Vogue Italia as one of the Vogue Talents for accessories in 2014 and was featured in its 50th anniversary issue – a first for a Filipino. His works have also been showcased globally including The London Fashion Week 2014 and 2015, and Pitti Immagine Super Talents in Milan in 2014. But his greatest achievement was being selected out of hundreds to launch his collection at the prestigious Vogue Talents Corner in 2015 in Milan, where only 12 handpicked designers from around the world were chosen to show their collection to important buyers, editors and media. 

Noel Crisostomo is a name forever etched in the history of Philippine fashion. The Filipino-Canadian has established himself both in the Philippines and international fashion industry. He designed for brands such as Club Monaco, Sunny Choi in Toronto and Ports 1961 in China. He is the go-to designer of A-list celebrities and high profile alpha women of the Philippines. With a North American design sensibility and love for haute couture and tailoring traditions, Noel has developed a personal vision of fashion fusion – the classic and the contemporary, the logical and romantic, the global and local – the narratives of which can be glimpsed in all of his creations. ”Sleek, clean, polished, inventive, practical and modern” have been often used to describe his style.  

Gabbie Sarenas aims to introduce and re-introduce culture. She champions and preserves creative Filipino techniques and artisanship to create unique pieces for the traditional and contemporary woman and man. She established her eponymous label with the thought of writing her love letter to the Philippines.  The whimsical interpretations and nostalgic handwork has created a unique DNA for herself and for the brand. Her passion for Filipino textiles and hand embroidery has taken different forms but stood by the mission and vision of respectful preservation of heritage. She uses piña shifu (pineapple and abaca) from Kalibo, Aklan, which is artistically handwoven by local weavers in this southern region. The red pineapple cloth, in particular, was introduced by the Spaniards and the handweaving method reached the peak of perfection in the 18th to early 19th century.  She also works with ramit fabric, a textile woven on a backstrap loom called harablon by the Mangyan community. Historians often refer to the Mangyan as the masters of traditional weaving. The ramit features a geometric pattern called minatahan, or the eyes of an ikad (caterpillar), said to protect the wearer from harmful spirits. The fabric is traditionally indigo-dyed and off-white.

Ever curious, she continuous to evolve by championing her love for culture. Her romantic story-telling creations have received accolades including Vancouver Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2017.

Aranaz is a fashion bags label that celebrates living a life in leisure. The pieces are crafted to sprinkle hints of the exotic and artisanship of everyday life. Every collection echoes the history behind the brand and its affinity to craftsmanship and the handmade. It takes pride in developing local weaving livelihood communities and sharing the Filipino story behind the bag to the world. From raw materials to assembly with innovation at its core, each bag is a striking mesh of various age-old local craftsmanship traditions. In essence, a variety of Filipino hands from various regions come together in one Aranaz bag.

What makes the rare “Philippine Collective'' Pre-Christmas more important and more meaningful is the mission behind it. The FDCP and Privato collaboration is helmed by Tina Tan Leo, lead curator and retail consultant of TaFF (Textile and Fashion Federation). Both aim to elevate Asian brands and introduce them competitively in the global fashion industry platform as leaders in today’s new world.  

Catch the Philippine Collective Pre-Christmas event at The Privato Club showroom: 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #03-74, Singapore 278115

Debbie | ws

(Images: FDCP, Privato)

For enqueries and “Philippine Collective” appointment booking: info@privato.asia or call +65 6920 6944  |  

More on Filipino designers: JC Buendia  | Ken Samudio  | Noel Crisostomo | Gabbie Sarenas  | Aranaz