When entertainment editor Gie Trillana requested me to accompany her to Albert Figueras’ Couture (atelier located at Rizal Village 1129 Antipolo, Makati City), my answer to her was, of course, an affirmative.

Figueras is Trillana’s designer of choice for the modern Filipiniana outfit she will wear during the 8th Eddys Awards, slated on 20 July in the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport World Resorts, Pasay City.

Some of Figueras’ celebrity muses are Max Eigenmann, Eugene Domingo, Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon, Celeste Legaspi, Rio Locsin, Pilar Pilapil and Manila’s high society ladies.

Designing for Trillana

Figueras was all smiles as he sketched the modern Filipiniana ensemble for Trillana.

“I am using inabel fabric for your outfit,” said Figueras. “It’s a versatile Filipino fabric. . Right now, using local fabrics, and showing the many ways on how to create it as a dress, gown or even a terno, is popular. I believe it is not even a fad. It is here to stay. And it is not only us who are loving it, but foreigners as well.

“The Terno Con, which is a flagship project of a local clothing brand, truly helped in the appreciation, promotion and patronage of our fabrics and textiles and made wearing Filipino dresses and outfits a matter of national pride, not just being fancy or ‘in.’”

On the topic of being fashion-forward, Figueras said: “I appreciate the people who believe in the said movement. Most especially for the millennials and the Gen Zs, most of them know what they want to wear, they are not afraid to experiment. Their outfits are their ways to express themselves.”