Here’s How This Collection Paid Tribute to the Filipiniana Sleeves

July 7, 2023

In an exclusive interview with MEGA, House of Enchanté shared how they paid tribute to the iconic Filipiniana sleeves and the advocacy behind their pieces

It’s obvious that the recent style trend we have here in the Philippines is heritage dressing. Local fashion enthusiasts have been getting their hands on reinterpreted Filipiniana pieces that they can use everyday while designers have been producing more cultural collections in a ready-to-wear manner.

The love towards our culture in the local scene is refreshing to see, especially when most trends originate from other countries. Since local brands are doing their own contribution towards the rise of Filipino fashion, we placed the spotlight on House of Enchanté since their latest collection was all about the iconic Filipiniana sleeves. And in this exclusive interview, the creative behind the label takes us behind the collection and its advocacy.

Ara Madrigal, the woman behind House of Enchanté began her journey in Slim’s Fashion and Arts School. It’s where she honed her craft, style in design, and learned the history of the late Salvacion Lim-Higgins. From not having any interest towards traditional clothing, there was a sudden switch once Ara learned to appreciate the meticulous artistry that goes behind the pieces. She vividly remembers, “the first coffee table I owned were Fashionable Filipinas and SLIM: Salvacion Lim Higgins. My admiration grew for every artisan who had carefully and meticulously crafted traditional clothing despite having limited resources.”

With her own research of the country’s heritage, it’s safe to say that this is when the dream to aspire and become a designer people looked up to started to develop. The combination of her education and research led her to the identity the House of Enchanté has today.

Asides from championing traditional dressing, Ara sees the modernization of the Filipiniana as a symbol of empowerment. It is the opportunity to embrace our culture and national identity, and celebrate the beauty of Filipino fashion that continues to drive the young designer to further push for the merge of heritage and casual wear. For her, confidence is about knowing who you are and loving your identity.

“It’s like wanting to feel like a Disney princess, but I want my brand to be recognized as the Filipino’s Disney Princess.”
Ara Madrigal

Their latest collection has become somewhat of a love letter to Ara’s artistic voyage. The pieces exude a spirit of freedom and ease with their use of billowy and exaggerated sleeves—a personal touch Ara added because of her love for sleeves. It was also a tribute to the designs she saw from the two coffee table books she read, a way for her to show her appreciation for the creativity the past gave her.

Ara shared, “I look back and take inspiration from all the beautiful things around us in the present, and merge them with the past.” And this is the very sentiment that truly captures what the third collection is all about.

The creation behind the third collection was tedious yet rewarding. The team of seamstresses she had showcased their expertise in creating pleats by using various hand techniques—a collaborative effort that everyone contributed to.

“It is necessary for me to be able to be collaborative with the people I work with so we are able to come up with designs that would surpass the quality of my previous work.”
Ara Madrigal

Despite the steady growth of heritage dressing, it is understandable that there are some who are hesitant to have the pieces in their wardrobe. Fortunately, the young designer acknowledges this, and has expressed that this collection can be the starting point of one’s exploration towards cultural fashion. She is reminded of how fashion is utilized to display different characters shown by one persona, and it’s a perspective that might kickstart your road to Filipino fashion.