This designer makes handy tote bags, masks inspired by traditional Filipino wear

Jor-El Espina is a Filipino fashion designer whose taste and sensibilities can be summed up in two words: beautifully Filipino.

For the "new normal," he created a collection of handy tote bags and face masks that pay tribute to the elegant craftsmanship of traditional Filipino wear — particularly, of the barong tagalog.

Displaying his wit and humor, Espina dubbed his tote bag, the Bayong Tagalog.

The Bayong Tagalog is adorned by intricate hand-embroidered designs on Jusi material — just like a barong tagalog — but its structural design is really quite simple: The tote is covered with PVC which makes it easy to clean, and sturdy enough to carry up to 3 kilos of stuff.

And then there are Espina's collection of barong-inspired face masks called "Maskarong Tagalog." He says these are "one of a kind" as no two patterns are alike.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Espina explained that he wanted to create "something functional yet in line with our usual material honoring our barong."

"During this pandemic, we need to turn fashion into something unique and, of course, beautiful," he continued.

His brand also creates a wide array of contemporary Filiipino clothing, from custom-made dresses to their popular “Bomberong” which is a portmanteu of a bomber jacket and a barong tagalog.

Their products are also made out of embroidered Jusi material embroidered by women artisans of Laguna.

For orders, send them a DM on Instagram here.

— LA, GMA News