Before presenting his latest collection at the Goldenberg Mansion last night, Filipino fashion designer Avel Bacudio dives deeper in his artistry in an interview with MEGA Magazine
“What is the purpose of my talent?” This was the question that altered the course of Avel Bacudio’s career when the world was at a standstill for about two to three years. The question seemingly came at the right time of his life as he looked back on his humble beginnings, the appreciation he has for embroidery, and where his creativity placed him today. For Avel, it was as if destiny was at play when his past, his talent, and his nationalistic vision merged beautifully, to which he has utilized in order to champion the creativity our country has to offer.
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Once a creative gets a hold of their purpose in their talent, it is best to expect an experience that takes us into their world and their vision they have. We get to see this transpire as Avel Bacudio showcased his latest design at the Goldenberg Mansion just last night, after sharing with MEGA the true purpose behind his work.
To uplift the younger generation’s love for culture, give recognition to the community of embroiderers, and bring our artistry to the global scene—these are the goals Avel has set on his career. It may be quite ambitious to some, but for the designer, these are what motivates him to continue on with his craft and what truly ignited the creativity in him. He shared, “I was given a talent to create and I want to use [it] to help advocate for traditional artisans from around the country. It’s as if it’s my duty to do that for the Philippines.”
Diving further into the conversation, Avel shared how his passion for design came to be. Interestingly enough, the designer recalled how his mother, who was a seamstress at the time, patched up the handed down uniforms his brothers used to wear. Tears were patched with other fabrics, while buttons were sewn back together to keep the piece intact—it’s safe to say that his mother became the muse of his career. Avel expressed, “Having to see those moments made me value the little things more.”
As time went on, his love for design bloomed the curiosity he had for traditional weaving. This continued on as he began to research and travel to the local communities that preserved such traditions, which were then passed on to the younger generation. And while the search for regional creativity was difficult, the designer shared that the joy he felt was priceless after seeing such artistry both adults and children were practicing in their communities. This began the integration of traditional embroidery and weaving in his designs.
“I saw how parents were teaching their children how to weave, and that made me realize how important it is for the younger generation to keep traditions alive. Patterns, textiles, and weaves are not just there for design, but they are [also] there to represent stories of the past and the identity we have as Filipinos.”
Finished in his signature black and white combination, his newest collection had the ideal balance of the classics in fashion and heritage, seen through the embroidery and weaves. It was as if there was a culmination of fashion’s history as aesthetics from the past and the trends of the present were incorporated in the designs.
Understated yet elegant, it’s noticeable that most of the pieces were designed with versatility in mind. Cropped jackets were finished with subtle weaves that can be easily styled with any daily ensemble, while straight-cut trousers had the right amount of structure for a sleek look. Midi skirts also made an appearance in the collection, which is very much timely seeing that people have been wanting to add the piece in their wardrobes.
Statement designs were also added to elevate ensembles that had a simple finish to it. Blazers showcased the masterful tailoring of Avel Bacudio and was completed with weaves in black and white. Meanwhile, sheer pieces were layered on top of dresses and innerwear, exuding such a dainty look.
As for the little details, bows and flowers were incorporated into some looks, which gave the designs a trendy feel since they have been a must-have accessory to add in today’s fashion.
Avel shared that there was one factor in the collection he believed would change the game in producing local textiles. With a vision of bringing the country’s artistry to the world, new technologies were tested and shown to the weavers that can hopefully garner a bigger production to the local textile market. He said, “The goal is to showcase what we have to the world, and taking advantage of the technology we have now will play a big factor in the direction we are heading in.”
There is no doubt that yesterday’s events left the designer in a sentimental state. A presentation of the contemporary infused with tradition transpired in a historical site, and after asking how he felt about the show, all he could say was that he would like to dedicate it to the weavers, not his career, for they have given him a newfound appreciation towards his country.
“This collection is dedicated to those who have preserved their culture through textile.”
Photography EXCEL PANLAQUE
