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Pinoy designer in Milan leads DE historical docu-fashion exhibit
The Filipino fashion designer who had wowed Europeans at the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Stuttgart has been commissioned again to showcase the designs and ornaments used by our Filipino ancestors 500 years ago.
“During the ‘The Langen Nacht der Konsulade’ in Germany (DE) last September 2020, Vice Consul Fatima Mueller of PCG Frankfurt mentioned their plan to hold a fashion show commemorating the 500th year celebration of the 'Victory Of Mactan',” shared Lionell Christian Lanuzo, 33, referring to the fashion show.
“It would be based on the Boxer Codex and the Ginto Collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” added the receptionist at a hotel in Milan in an interview via Messenger on May 25.
So, at first, Lanuzo and his all-Filipino team had tried to look for jewelries that may just look like the designs from the Ginto Collection of the BSP.
But being unable to find any, they researched – some pieces of information he learned from the GMA TV series “Amaya” – and recreated the jewelry instead.
“I also added other designs where I incorporated shells and pearls that I think are very reminiscent of the topography of the place near the coast. I also used Pinoy weaves from Mindanao for the costumes and gold details as described in the accounts of Pigafetta (Magellan's chronicler).”
Lanuzo had always wanted to design something that would give honor his roots being a Filipino.
“While doing the designs, I realized two things. First, our ancestors were already civilized even before the Spanish Conquistadors came and the indigenous people ornate themselves with intricately done ornaments that also establishes their level in the society.”
“And second, what I have studied back when I was a grade school student in the Philippines was a far cry from what I have learned during the preparation of this project (our ancestors didn’t only have wooden anitos or only wear bahags, for example). And I think – and believe – that our generation should know about this fact and be proud at the same time of our cultural heritage and artisan.”
The “Golden Treasures: A Historical Docu-Fashion Exhibit” is accessible online until October. —LBG, GMA News
