Patis Tesoro's Filipiniana is forever

When the word Filipiniana comes to mind, one name is front and center. With a career spanning over four decades, Patis Tesoro has become known as the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion. Her designs have been worn by both ladies of high society and young trendsetters, proving the timelessness of her vision and creations. 

In Filipiniana Is Forever, she takes us on a journey of how Filipino dress ties in with our national identity, and pride in the work of our artisans’ hands. “All Filipinos aspire to dress in a sheet of handwoven piña or what resembles it,” shares the designer. “I want to show how these pieces fit in well — from daily wear to formal wear — while putting the focus on the craftsmanship and artistry of our people.” 

From the moment the first model walks onstage, the audience gets a clear picture of Tesoro’s vision — a lifelong celebration of Filipino weaves and fabrics as seen through the lens of a passionate artist. Each piece strikes a perfect balance, where traditional silhouettes are imbued with a modern playful energy made real in color, beading, pattern and design. 

The 100-piece collection felt like an anthology of Tesoro’s work as a designer over four decades, but also with an eye on taking Filipiniana into the future. The baro’t saya was a central piece for the womenswear, to which she says “When you are Filipino, you are attractive when you wear a baro’t saya. It is folded at the back to show the nape, which makes it very sensual.” But she takes it beyond that with a proverbial plot twist in its execution, describing it as “an evolving, wearable piece of art.” Suffice to say, each piece that came down that runway was that, with a bevy of handwoven details, patchwork and embroidery. 

Patis Tesoro also had her eye on the men in this collection. In fact, they opened the show, clad only in beaded patadyongs in a myriad of colors and patterns. Once you got past the bare chests, you are drawn to the handwoven, hand beaded details of the garments. One of her inspirations was said to be iconic Freddie Mercury, and she manifested this in the hand painted barongs and brightly patterned jackets. 

To be honest, those pieces would be worthy of space in a woman’s wardrobe as well. Which, again, is a testament to Tesoro’s understanding of great design. “I wanted to emphasize the beauty of handmade things, which make up 95 percent of this collection,” enthused Tesoro. 

“In all her endeavors, Patis has contributed to empowering women from artisanal communities. Her team is made up of 90 percent women.”

Trends come and go, but over the course of 100 designs, Patis Tesoro has affirmed this universal truth — Filipiniana truly is forever.  With each pattern and each weave, she sews together a story that pays homage to the vibrant culture of the Filipino. One that you can proudly wear on your sleeve. Literally and figuratively. “Filipiniana is forever, passed on from generation to generation, for as long as we have a country called the Philippines,” says Tesoro.