Something old, something new

Jor-el Espina's new Filipiniana collection is a fun collaboration with Patis Tesoro

- Joseph L. Garcia

JOR-EL ESPINA is paying tribute to Patis Tesoro, but also lucky enough to collaborate with a designer who is sometimes called the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion.

At a fashion show on July 15 at the Makati Shangri-La, it was hard to draw the line between where the senior designer ends and the junior begins in this collection called “Heirloom.”

There was a pink embroidered top with lace trimming on a little cap-sleeved baro (a traditional blouse), with an inner garment of fuchsia, and a floral skirt. Next came a striped blouse made of piña (pineapple fiber fabric), with a Mindanao-inspired malong (tube skirt), and a refreshing green-striped baro with lace trimming on the sleeves, paired with a gathered aquamarine skirt.

A long-sleeved baro had a splash of lilac chiffon on the train, while a fully embroidered kimono jacket with a pattern of green leaves and hot pink flowers was paired with gold-embroidered pants. Next came a polite coatdress with terno sleeves (butterfly sleeves), fully embroidered with masses of wildflowers.