DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite — It is more than just a display of the ‘50s to ‘90s fashion collection at the ongoing ‘MODA: Ang Pagtatahi ng Lipunang Caviteño’ exhibit at the Museo De La Salle (MDLS) here.
Every piece of design — from its color, materials used, and occasion it was intended for — offers snippets of the colonial influences, regional flavor and ingenuity of Cavite’s local designers.
“Ten years in the making,” enthused DLSU-D Faculty of History’s Dr. Jesus Medina as he shared his experience in documenting seven designers, nine of their clients and three fashion individuals as he prepares for his dissertation for his doctorate degree in history.
Preparing for his dissertation writings, Medina chose a topic closest to his heart, “bunga ng aking hilig sa MODA, kaya naisip ko na dapat ay gusto ko ang aking gagawin (because I am fond of MODA, thus I chose this subject)”.
In his research journey, Medina realized that MODA continues to flourish with the country’s development and that the fashion/trend mirrors the life and culture of a city/town because as he presented the designs with the changing times and status of the community.
The ‘modern, western’ influences brought by the Americans opened windows of opportunities for women in various fields and the conservative and domestic ‘baro’t saya’ is slowly being replaced by modern fashion trend, including body-defining designs like ‘Septentina.’
The end of the World War II brought about the need for more practical and designs that give more freedom to move.
MODA offers historical metamorphosis of famous designers of Cavite, namely ‘Adorable’ (Teodora Sapinoso of Corregidor who earned her namesake due to her beauty), ‘Maesto’ Ramon Santiago (Imus City), Victoriano ‘Beedzee’ D. Caimol Jr., Michaelangelo ‘Milo’ Afable (Cavite City), Adrian Rios (Rosario), President of Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines, Roseller ‘Ole’ Morabe, and Reuben Samson (Imus).
Their works represent the culture and semiotics of fashion in Cavite and how it is interrelated to the local culture — and the the role fashion played in the establishment of ‘Cavitesation’ and its contribution to the nation’s fashion landscape
The exhibit, which can be viewed at MDLS’s FSR Room until Nov. 29, forms part of the museum’s ‘Glimpses of Cavite’ exhibition program, “conceptualized to highlight certain cultural aspects of the province of Cavite through exhibitions and various collateral activities,” said MDLS Director Cecille Torrevillas Gelicame.
The ‘Glimpses’ program asserts the MDLS’ role in the province of Cavite in the promotion, development of deeper understanding and appreciation, and pride in Cavite heritage, Gelicame added.
Interested guests may visit the museum Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and entrance to the museum comes with a fee. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
