The Pina Shop: Proudly EcoPinoy Sustainable Fashion

For years, almost all my life actually, I have been fascinated with Philippine exported products.  I guess it started during one of our gradeschool fieldtrip to Philtrade (little did I expect that I am going to be a regular).  We were lucky that there was a good furniture exhibit that time and I just fell in love with a huge round rotating thick cushioned rattan chair (which I still hope to find for myself), and I was hooked on all things Philippine Export quality products.

So going to CITEM’s Manila F.A.M.E. is really a pilgrimage for me.  I can remember being blown away by the World Trade Center being transformed with drama, installations and even pocket gardens set-up by Budji Layug.

This year, it has once again lived up to its ideals.  Though the exhibit is a tad smaller and less “packaged” than a few years back, but the participants are just as exciting!

The first of which is The Pina Shop, home of the First in the World Natural Dyed Pina Fashion knitwear!

As with true eco fashion, multi-purposing is a must, how about this shawl turned headgear/ accent? How about turning this into your bridal veil? Filipina brides should be proud to wear this to their wedding!

I actually got introduced to them last year, but I wasn’t able to document their extraordinary work.

Looking at their clothes, I didn’t expect it was made from Pina.  Like any other Filipino, we are used to seeing Barong Tagalog and for us that has defined pina fibers’ ultimate purpose in fashion.  The feel is similar to wool but a little bit softer with subtler texture.  I have to get used to it though since my usual requirement (having shopped for children for a couple of years) is how soft the materials should be.  But according to Kiko Tacio, (their Sales and Marketing Head) Europeans just love! the texture.  According to him, these sweater are just as good for our hotter climate because it is 100% natural fibers and would allow the body to breathe and release heat.

The Pina Shop has transformed that notion and is transforming the industry with their advocacy of promoting Philippine natural fibers, resurrecting dead or dying enterprises such as cotton farming and Philippine knitwear manufacturing.

Would you believe these all these colors are from natural dyes?

Their story started with the demise of Transcontinental knitting company.  With skilled employees turning unemployed, a group of visionary ex-employees and dedicated owners forged ahead onto new grounds.

Thank you Kiko (left) and Antonio (Middle) for sharing the roots of The Pina Shop.

Finding alliances with former retrenched skilled knitters from other knitting companies that closed in the last few years, they were able to not only gain velocity for their project but has provided invaluable employment opportunities to countless families.

Pina knitwear doesn't look nor feels like the ordinary pina fabric.

As though that advocacy wasn’t enough, The Pina Shop also believes in taking it to a higher level and making their products not only 100% Filipino but more commendable is making it SUSTAINABLE.

From using pina leaves to making their threads...

To organic cotton right here in Dumaguete! and I thought organic cotton clothes can only be bought either in US or Europe, when its probably sourced from our rich Philippines!

Just a few years back cotton farming was dwindling, with CODA (Cotton Development Authority) planting cotton only for research.  But with The Pina Shop, they were able to ask their help to plant new stocks, help countless farmers find livelihood and produce Philippine organic cotton.

Imagine seeing whole fields with ripe cotton to be handpicked! Our cotton is even better than its Continental counterparts since its handpicked, there is less organic materials than machine picked cotton.

Organic cotton with processed pina fibers

Can you imagine, these yummy hues from natural dyes? Yes, since they were going sustainable, they used natural dyes in their fibers as well! Now that is Eco fashion!

This company is not only admirable because of their pride in being and promoting Filipino, they are also socio and eco responsible to boot.

Partnerships with families, communities, government agencies and fashion designers is something all industries should learn from and adapt.

It is not a wonder that they have gained the support of the DTI, CODA, Philippine Textile Research Institute under DOST and the following designers have also been good partners in their bid to make EcoPinoy fashion the fashion of choice.

Marlon Rivera

M Barretto, for male fashion

Twinkle Ferraren for resort and swimwear

The Pina line has only been around for 2 years while their organic cotton line under Gauge 12, for one year.  But seeing their collection and support from fashion designers and government agencies, we can also support them by patronizing and promoting their lines to everyone we know.

Hearing their people speak about the company, it’s so easy to hear the pride and passion they have for their company.  We should all be just as proud.  For The Pina Shop, it is not a matter of luck but a matter of staying true to being Filipino and being Eco that will carry them to success!  Cheers!

If you liked this, watch out for the next installment, this is just the first in a three part series of the best EcoPinoy Finds at MANILA F.A.M.E International.

You can still catch it up to Sunday, April 25, 2010.

And see, what EcoPinoy find would be your favorite.

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The Pina Shop
Unit H 5F Westagate Tower, Investment Drive, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
(632)8425877
www.thepinashop.com

MANILA F.A.M.E. International
Asia’s Boutique Show
April 22-25, 2010
World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard

Be happy.  Be Healthy.  Be Whole.

Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa

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