I've actually designed like a dozen variations, and they keep coming. This is one I thought up while at the gym. Without the right fabric and cut it could go terribly wrong, but I kinda like it as a weird Filipino version of Le Smoking with the current big pants trend coming in. If the pants are a really flowey fabric (peau de soie?) the piña top can be a nice breezy contrast. I threw in the fuschia platform heels just to make it more current. :)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Barong Filipina, 2
I've actually designed like a dozen variations, and they keep coming. This is one I thought up while at the gym. Without the right fabric and cut it could go terribly wrong, but I kinda like it as a weird Filipino version of Le Smoking with the current big pants trend coming in. If the pants are a really flowey fabric (peau de soie?) the piña top can be a nice breezy contrast. I threw in the fuschia platform heels just to make it more current. :)
It just keeps getting better, George! I'm in love with the two off-center slits. Would love to see this blouse in a halter version too. And have you thought of exploring the barong fabric in other colors?
ReplyDeleteDon't you find colored barongs kind of on the cheesey side? Maybe it's just what I remember whenever Filipino designers did colored jusi fabric...
ReplyDeleteThat's what we can set out to explore. Maybe colors different from the cheesy ones weve seen. Maybe softer neutrals (think oyster gray or blush) or super strong colors sans embroidery. Maybe even a different method of dyeing the fabric altogether!
ReplyDeletewell you get into iffy territory that veers too far from traditional barong... at that point, you might as well use voile fabric if you use those colors. Perhaps it's because I remember they did those in the 80s (maybe you were too young to take note)- even doing degradé dyes on them. I think I like the idea of exploring reinventing the shapes first.
ReplyDeleteI actually have baby blue, and oyster grey barongs in my closet right now, but made froom those poly-linens that Tesoro's used to sell as work wear...
See:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.barongsrus.com/barong/colored-barong-tagalog-c-22_31.html?view=all
May point ka! One thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite of the three thus far. Reminds me of so many of my neighbors back home. (I'm homesick now, are you happy?)
ReplyDeleteWait, Joanie - you're from the Philippines??
ReplyDeleteNo, from San Diego. My high school and the neighborhood where my kids were mostly raised were basically Little Manila. I was generally the palest one in any group.
ReplyDelete