Discovery Samal, in partnership with the Davao Fashion Design Council Foundation, Inc. (DFDCFI) and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), on Thursday launched the Stellar Fashion Gala at Discovery Samal in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).
The Stellar Fashion Gala, which will feature and highlight bamboo and banana fabrics, is slated for September 28, 2024.
“There is a special segment in the gala that will be dedicated to the bamboo fabric which will be one of the main highlights of the entire gala,” said Emi Englis, president of DFDCFI.
DOST-PTRI director Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr. said with this collaboration they will be able to integrate everyone from farmers to weavers to fashion designers to consumers.
“A fashion industry in any country could not thrive without a robust textile industry. Hindi puwedeng paghiwalayin yun. We are happy that in Davao we see many convergences of stakeholder coming from different perspectives. Coming from their sense of nationalism, sense of their commitment to the environment and sustainability,” Leaño said.
The upcoming fashion show was preluded with a forging of the partnership of Discovery Samal, DOST-PTRI, and DFDCFI to promote homegrown sustainable fashion and lifestyle that will highlight PTF and local weaves.
This engagement forms part of DFDCFI’s b.LOOM (Beyond the Loom) Project, which encapsulates the resurgence of artisanal weaving traditions in the age of technology.
“We will be showcasing bamboo and banana textiles and we will see them being translated into clothes and hopefully when you see these arts, you will see the hands of the farmers and weavers participating in the creation,” Leaño said.
Englis said Beyond the Loom is a branding initiative for Davao’s artisanal weaving culture and a developmental program to upskill, capacitate, educate, and expose to the global market the local indigenous and emerging artisans and designers by anchoring on fashion as a design and as a lifestyle.
“Our artisans and designers have long wielded creativity and innovation more than deserving stellar recognition. Thus, the Stellar Gala celebrates that and looks beyond it by providing a platform like this. Thanks to PTRI for bringing us innovative fibers that turned into global Filipino fabrics,” Englis said.
The upcoming fashion show is a fundraiser event for inclusive traditional and emerging creative communities focused on marginalized creatives and artisans like persons with determinations (PWDs), persons deprived of liberty (PDL), indigenous artisanal communities, urban women, and children in halfway homes.
“The Stellar Fashion Gala aims to have a special place in our hearts as it represents the convergence of creativity, compassion, and collaboration. We celebrate the talent and ingenuity of our local designers while also shining a spotlight on the charitable causes that we hold dear”, said Stanley Lau, general manager of Discovery Samal.
