Marina Antonio and her fashion dynasty

THIS Women's Month presented the perfect opportunity to celebrate the phenomenal fashion designer Marina Antonio, who is being given a fitting tribute by the women she nurtured, influenced and inspired—her daughter Malu Veloso, grandchildren Vicky and Letlet Veloso, and great-grandchild Hannah Barrera.

- Tota Pulchra

Love, Marina, a charming coffee-table book, explores the glamorous life and colorful times of Marina Reyes Antonio (1910-2006) and all her passions—family, fashion, flowers, and food.

"She was way ahead of her time, living out sustainability and doing good ecological practice. She worked from home, maintained a garden of native flowers and fruit trees, and recycled scraps of expensive fabrics into hand-formed flowers," said Vicky Veloso-Barrera, Marina's eldest grandchild and the author of the book.

"The most important thing I've done for my family, from my grandparents to my children, is to archive my memories of them in containers, drawers and organizers. There are photographs, mementos, clippings, award certificates and much more. The archives of my Lola Marina form the basis of this book. The stories they tell are given life, a guide to the living," wrote Vicky, who dabbled in fashion design with her sister Letlet before she went back to her first love of writing.

Marina, together with her husband, the National Artist for Architecture Pablo S. Antonio, started a clan of highly creative talents—three generations of architects, fashion designers, and landscape and visual artists are following in their footsteps. Marina herself would also be nominated for the National Artist award.

The book, as much a family album, a gardening guide, a cookbook as well as a useful reference for local fashion history, is published by the Far Eastern University (FEU), in partnership with Tesoros, and was launched on March 3 at Tesoros Makati. It is edited by Thelma San Juan.

DESIGNING WOMEN