Sports luxe and National pride

Last 25 March, in Plaza Mexico, Manila, fashion designer Avel Bacudio presented a collective of athletic/leisure wear channeling a contemporary fusion of heritage and active performance. “Gintong Sinag (Sports Luxe)” has a patriotic vibe that celebrates artisans, athletes and the Filipino.

Sportswear is made modern in a vibrant parade of hues reminiscent of the color of the Philippine flag — white, red, blue and yellow. Bacudio says, “Ang koleksyon na ito ay isang liham ng pag-ibig sa Pilipinas,” Bacudio intones, “Gusto kong lumikha ng mga piraso na naglalaman ng diwa ng ating bandila — ang lakas nito, ang kagandahan nito, at ang katatagan nito — habang itinataguyod din ang kahanga-hangang talento ng ating mga lokal na manghahabi at mga burdador (This collection is a love letter to the Philippines. I wanted to create pieces that embody the spirit of our flag — its strength, its beauty and its resilience — while also championing the incredible talent of our local weavers and embroiderers).”

Sports Luxe is fashion woven with social consciousness and an unwavering commitment to Filipino craftsmanship with meticulously sourced textiles from the nation’s revered weavers. The weavers pride it in Intricate embroideries that reflect tradition and reimagine dated techniques in modern time.

The collection empowers traditional weavers and nurturing young artisans to cultivate a legacy of cultural preservation and economic empowerment. “Ang pagiging sustainable ay hindi lamang nauuso; ito ay isang responsibilidad,” Bacudio asserts, “Mayroon tayong maraming likas na yaman at tradisyonal na kasanayan sa Pilipinas, at tungkulin natin na gamitin ang mga ito nang responsable at etikal. Sa pagpili ng lokal, hindi lamang tayo lumilikha ng magagandang kasuotan kundi nagbibigay pugay din tayo sa ating mga komunidad at pinoprotektahan ang ating kapaligiran (Sustainability is not just a trend; it’s a responsibility. We have a wealth of natural resources and traditional skills in the Philippines, and it’s our duty to utilize them responsibly and ethically. By choosing local, we’re not only creating beautiful garments but also empowering our communities and protecting our environment).”

Almost all the materials used for this collection are ethically sourced and produced locally (except for the zippers). And all of this advancement and development of textiles wouldn’t have been possible without the great partnership and assistance from the Department of Science and Technology and director Julius Leaño Jr. of the Philippine Textile and Research Institute.

We salute Avel Bacudio’s advocacy in celebrating our local athletes by drawing attention to the merging of athleticism and artisanal fashion. The impressive collective is an elevated interpretation of sportswear with the heart of a nation. With efforts extending to the National Academy of Sports, “Sports Luxe” is a representation of national pride that supports the achievements of Filipino athletes. The inspiring designer once again pushes local fashion into greater heights as he propagates how visionary design can be of service to the industry, community, to a nation and its people.

The collection will be available online in June at avelbacudio.com.