Friday, January 21, 2011

Pinagayon

It was early last year when Charette, one of my closest friends since puberty, called and asked me to join a fashion show. The last time I joined a full blown show was back in college and I will not admit here how many years ago that was. I was hesitant at first since making clothes for a show is not an easy feat. Entails so much work and the pressure to come up with fabulous gowns just for show is something I do not look forward to, I have that every week, from real brides and for real weddings. I've always felt, and I still do, that the aisle is my catwalk. And my brides, my muse doing my finale.:)

Charette is the only reason I am joining.

I had to find a reason to say no without her cancelling my being her matron of honor at her wedding. But she enticed me more since she said I will only be working with Piña. She knows how much I love the fabric. But then again, I work with it on a regular basis, and gets paid for it pa! Nope, still not it :)

She went on saying that I will be working with Piña woven from Camarines Norte.
Okay.....
Piña has always been synonymous to Aklan so I was surprised when I found out that Camarines Norte is producing the fabric too. I suddenly felt dumb when I found out that Camarines Norte has huge pineapple plantations everywhere and its climate and location is ideal for producing Pineapple. It has one of the most efficient cooperative in producing the fabric, they make it so well, but they just do not know how to market themselves. Charette showed me the material and I must admit, it is beautiful. The yarn has that fresh golden tint and the weaving had that organic nature to it. It was in that perfect quality, just like oldies used to make. It is luxurious and simply beautiful. Sad that their weaving industry is still unrecognized, so many people are left jobless and Camarines Norte still one of the poorest provinces in the country. If only people can be aware of their existence, demand and sales will increase, lives will be better.

Now do I want to be part of it?
How can I say no? :-)

Here are the wedding gowns I made for the Pinagayon Fashion Forecast 2010 that hopefully will encourage brides to look at Piña in a different light - soft and feminine. I dream of that day when brides will feel giddy and priviledged at the thought of wearing one :-)



























Now here's the catch, if you need Piña from Camarines Norte, whether the fruit or the fabric, please get in touch with my friend - Charette Regala 09088942215 :-)
Let us support our local weavers :-)



22 comments:

Ernest said...

Beautiful gowns as always. I could remember how the crowd went crazy over your gowns. ;D

dot said...

absolutely stunning. i wanna get married again

Anika said...

Nakaka-inis sa ganda!!!!!!!!
i wish i could get married again and be able to wear one of your creation! :)

i seriously have to have a daughter so that i can pass on my wedding gown :)

cheers to more and more amazingly good-looking gowns!!!

- Anika Manibo-Ong

Kathy de los Reyes-Carredo said...

said it once and i'll say it again....I love and I'm proud to be a Veluz Bride!!!!

Pat Ignacio Tan said...

Absolutely gorgeous Miss V!! I am so honored to have walked down the isle in one of your creations!!!! You're truly a visionary and artist. Thank you again for everything! Again congratulations on a successful runway show! :)

christine said...

aylavet! so gorgeous! sarap ikasal ulet! :) congratulations miss V! mishu!

Faye said...

I love it! vey classy and so Filipina :) I hope I could wear a Veluz gown in the future :)

Abi Puno said...

Ms V! I want the last gown. Can i get married again and have another gown made? It hurts to look at your facebook cause i see new brides wearing your gowns and i know i cant ever wear mine again! Hope to see you soon when i finally pick up my gown :) Ill bring my husband hopefully you'll meet him.

sareti said...

Finally, na-blog din ako sa veluz bride hahahaha! :) hirap kasi, kailangan maging bride hehehe.

Thank you so much Veluz Bride! Looking forward to being one. Ang tagal! hahaha

Celia Uy-Agbayani said...

Glorious. :) Ganda-ganda ng pina. I wouldn't have had my gown in anything else, come to think of it. And I wouldn't have had my gown by anyone else but you. :)

Rhea said...

Ms. V! Ang ganda! I was born in Camarines Norte, and both my parents were from there too! :) I am so happy to have worn pina silk on my wedding day! Thank you so much, Ms. V! Miss you!


---- Rhea (married to Nap)
July 8, 2006

Marj and Carlos said...

The gowns look so gorgeous and very modern. Me-likey. I want to get married again. Good job!

Jen said...

lovely gowns Ms. V! :)

Jingger C. said...

swoon-worthy!

Jessa said...

ang gaganda ng mga gowns... waaaahhh, ang sarap sanang ikasal, kaso i have to wait for five years more... hahaha...!

btw, i've been following your posts ms. v. ang tagal din since your last post, ha? na-miss ko rin... :)

your one big fan,
giselle

Anonymous said...

its all beautiful mother V! I wish i could wear another Veluz creation..=)

Michelle Balmadrid-Barrientos

lilli de leon said...

hi, great gowns! still dreaming of wearing a veluz creation. if u need an aklan woven pina, the once-head of aklan pina weavers s a very good friend. have taught them some hardanger embroidery techniques. we might go there again this april for another embroidery session.

Anonymous said...

Very stunning and artistic! The gowns are definitely to die for. At least I still have my chance to be a veluz bride :D I can't wait...

Maureen Munoz-Villano

Cie said...

wow! kudos to your wonderful creations! wish i could wear one of your beautiful and elegant gowns again!

more power ms. v! miss you!

Andie said...

Stunning work :) And very nice na you support local weavers!

maya said...

Ms V, would you believe that I have my inspiration gown bookmarked and click on it every time I need a pick me up. Just seeing it makes me SOOOOOOOOOO happy & excited... can't it be December already? :-)

Unknown said...

Not sure if you still remember me, Carina's sister :) I think your gowns in this show are GORGEOUS!!!!! I especially love the strapless slinky gown :) :) :)