This Filipiniana by Bayo Atelier is made with handwoven textiles and Philippine silk, a display of Filipino materiality and craftsmanship. Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno.
A few months back, Bayo presented a traditional Filipiniana dress to Jana Šedivá, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines, which will be showcased at the Litoměřice Museum. The town where the museum is historically significant; this was where our national hero Dr. Joze Rizal once met Austrian teacher Ferdinand Blumentritt and became lifelong friends.
It took the Bayo Atelier more than a month to craft the Filipiniana. There was a need to be intentional as each element used should properly show Filipino materiality and craftsmanship. A team at the HARVEST (Heritage and Artisanship Reimagined as a Vehicle for Economic growth, Sustainability, and Technology) Creative Community Hub collected materials from Northern regions in the country, particularly from Ifugao, Kalinga, Abra, and Mountain Province.
Meanwhile, Bayo collected handwoven textile from partner communities in Bulacan, Aklan, and Misamis Oriental while Philippine silk threads were sourced from communities in Kapangan in Benguet and Misamis Oriental through the brand’s foundation. Each textile was unique in its pattern, color, and design, but united in their purpose of slow and thoughtful Filipino craftsmanship.
The Camisa was crafted with two kinds of Philippine silk, one of which was locally-harvested silk. Through its foundation and in collaboration with the DOST-PTRI in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bayo has been making its own silk since 2021. From the delivery of the silkworms to the spinning of threads, each step in the process is carefully done by sericulture farmers and craftsmen to ensure the best quality. Salvaged silk left from the processing of the premium fibers was also incorporated.
For the fashion label, the blouse is an apt representation of its sustainability practice, focusing on slow processes with local makers in every part of the value chain, constantly reassuring responsible production.
Through this presentation of the Filipiniana, a cultural tapestry and enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Czech Republic is celebrated. The piece not only embodies history and heritage, but also the beautiful marriage of our artisan past with a future rooted in sustainability.
As this Filipiniana dress finds its place among the historical artifacts at the Litoměřice Museum, it serves as a symbol of bridging the gap between two countries through a mutual appreciation of fashion, culture, and craft.
To learn more about Bayo Atelier and the Bayo Foundation’s continuing circularity efforts–their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and dedication to heritage preservation–please visit bayo.com.ph, or the newly opened Bayo Atelier store in Greenbelt 5, Makati
