I admired her fashion so much that I wanted my wedding gown done by her, but due to budget considerations, I didn’t even ask, hayyy.

That was more than 9 years ago and at the Manila F.A.M.E, who should I chance upon unexpectedly???

It was exciting to see the artist skillfully do the folds herself. Seeing her gather the abacca ends into loops, without any apparent direction or pattern but merely falling into the rhythm of the fabric is just simply inspiring. I realized, just how much of her style has also inspired me in mine for my flowers.

The long awaited meeting was just an exchange of a few words, but I was starstruck.  Imagine, finally meeting somebody you admire not only for their work, but also their ideals?

Here are just some of her works for those few people who are yet unfamiliar with this lady’s artistry.

The one on the left is the wrap Dita recreated on the runway. The one on the left is Php4000+, so it can be a bit of investment. But since you can wear it in so many ways, its like having more than one outfit, doesn't it?

These shawls are made from abacca fiber and can be handwashed, not really scrubbed and it will last for years.

Since these are made from natural fibers, it will turn moldy when stored in plastic. It's best that these fine pieces be stored unwrapped and hung in a well ventilated place (inside the closet will do). One should be careful that it is hugh with the folds running they way it should, otherwise it will lose it's form entirely.

Being a bag lady, I couldn't resist her bags and clutches. This one runs for about P900+.

On real people (albeit, not the average person) here is how these elegant wraps can be worn.

One of her assitants told me, her work is really categorized as Modern Filipiniana. With this piece, I can really see why. Now that's a modern terno young Filipinas can carry.

This wrap shows how it can be very versatile and the wearer is just limited to her imagination.

This wrap skirt was displayed as a wrap in the exhibit.

If you would like to see more of her work in person, she will have her High on Silver 25th year Fashion Gala.  This will be on May 30, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the A-Venue Antel Lifestyle Center, Makati.  It will celebrate her eco fashion, sustainable living as well as her Ilocano Heritage, which would make it even more interesting, considering that she kicked off her career featuring abel iloco in her debut collection.

They say her collection is Modern Filipiniana, but for me its more about being a Fearlessly Modern Filipina.  I guess its either you have it in you or these will bring it out, which one will it be for you I wonder?

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Dita Sandico Ong
35 Wilson St., Greenhills, San Juan
www.ditasandicoong.com.ph

Be happy.  Be Healthy.  Be Whole.

Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa

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Email me at myquaintlife@yahoo.com

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

Follow me on Twitter
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Email me at myquaintlife@yahoo.com

Just one word... YUMMY!

I am so happy that one of our dedicated GREEN flower growers are really taking the initiative to greater heights and are planting more colors and flower varieties to, (hopefully in time) serve all our wedding needs and beyond.

Here's the bridal bouquet in shades of coral with a nice touch of local magenta rice flowers to bring some accent to the whole arrangement.

So when one of my nicest brides Bianca (I seem to have a lot of those, I’m just so lucky) came to me with the sweet recommendation of my cousin-in-law Stella (also just the sweetest) with a CORAL color theme, I knew I can give her the best flowers literally and figuratively.

Green Wedding Idea #5:

HANDTIED BOUQUETS

Consider hand-tied bouquets rather than those bouquet arrangements requiring plastic bouquet holders to execute.  It is just as beautiful, more contemporary and you are so much kinder to the earth.

Of course here's a little something you can keep of your lovely bouquet, wouldn't be the same without it. Don't you think?

It may also be a handtied bouquet, but colors, size, flowers, accents, fillers and leaves will change the whole look and feel of every bouquet.

Here is the bouquet for the Maid-of-Honor, with friendly gerberas and twists of green lace to add that little playfulness in the design.

Green Wedding Idea #6 :

USE REUSABLES

My brides also like the idea of using these lovely teddy bears for their little flower girls.  Yes, the bears are not biodegradable but it definitely will not be thrown out in the trash!  Sometimes, being earth-friendly means that while you try to used biodegradable as much as possible, you also use materials that will have a life even after the wedding.

How about this little teddy? Nothing like a teddy to give a little more cuteness for the lovely flower girls... and keep them busy at the same time.

Green Wedding Idea #7

Hairbands vs Headdresses

When you think of flower girls, the first thing that comes to mind are humongous headdresses.  Personally,  I don’t like them too much (gasp).  At the risk of thinking the unthinkable, is it really that cute?  like make-up on the little darlings?  I like them as simple, innocent and lovely as they are.

So just a simple sided flower headdress would do more for them than having them wrestle flowers bigger than their tiny heads!  Imagine 2 or 3 year olds with just wisps of baby hair holding on to those flowers, believe me you’d rather not.

In that line of thinking, why not use a hairband instead?

Think how easy it is for your flower girls to put this on and be just as cute.

Three reasons why I like it:

1. It stays put, no matter how old or how young they are.
2. It’s easier for the moms to put it on the little darlings.
3. You can use it again! Just remove the flowers when its wilted of course.

Thank you Bianca for being so nice, I’m still waiting for copies of your pictures : )  My best wishes to you and your husband.

Be happy.  Be Healthy.  Be Whole
Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa

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Email me at myquaintlife@yahoo.com

drum roll please....

Congratulations to …

Zah Oademis

Melissa Remulla-Briones

Jona Alforque

yeheyyyy!!!

The three of you are the lucky winners of the Heart for a Green Life.

I’m so excited to draw the winners for the launch promo for Heart for a Green Life.  Just had to finish my post for Blog Action Day, so please excuse the delay.

All those who added me in Facebook, Multiply and subscribed to My Quaint Life were all included in the raffle.  Names were written in (of course, scratch) paper and placed in a bowl for the tried and true tested way of fishing out the winners.

I will PM you as well to inform you that you won.  From there you can let me know your preferred colors and I will have it sent to you in 2-3 weeks time.

Thank you to all my friends for joining, supporting the launch.

Thank you to all my new friends for joining.

I’ll be definitely be coming up with more giveaways in the coming months, so I hope everyone can watch out for it, and share it with your friends as well.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS! 

Everybody wins when you go green.

Be Happy. Be Healthy. be wHole.

Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa

Blog: MyQuaintLife.com
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