From handwoven to handpainted details on her couture, the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion PATIS TESORO, once again puts the spotlight on what it means to preserve heritage while embracing the future – one thread, one stroke, one stitch at a time.
Known for reviving traditional Filipino craftsmanship and textiles, especially the piña, Tesoro reveals that every garment is an intersection between time and texture. Her craftsmanship was intimate, where each piece seemed to be a love letter to Filipino artistry.
“[Filipiniana] has to be forever for us to remain a country that has its own identity,” shared Patis Tesoro.“So if we lose out to the West and to the other influences, what are we as a people?”
The collection’s main highlight was its dedication to detail. Hand-painted motifs bloomed over sheer fabrics, echoing indigenous patterns while embracing such contemporary touches. Each piece felt personal – a dialogue between past and present; in between artistry & innovation.
By using piña as her main element in the pieces, Tesoro added that wearing her work not only helps the farmers but also the weavers. “I have little pieces of pinya… The retasos? I never throw away any retaso (scrap fabric).”
This is why, Tesoro told ELETOM that she has used a myriad of techniques in the FILIPINIANA IS FOREVER collection, such as upcycled materials by weaving, using pinya as well as banig (traditional handwoven mat), and hand-painting some features on the clothes. “All my life, I’ve always been passionate about embroidery,” she added.
The future: Where sustainable elegance meets handmade PH fashion
Looking at how the younger generations are embracing elevations in Filipiniana, Tesoro believes that it is a positive note. “I think it’s great… It’s not just making a dress, it’s also about the craftsmanship, because Filipino dress is all about “burloloy”. Burloloy (embellishment) is all about burda, it’s painting, all of that.”
Tesoro has also been a strong advocate for hands-on creativity, urging young people and aspiring designers to spend time reconnecting with the tactile: by cooking, planting, sewing, painting, or simply doing anything with their hands, instead of getting lost in their screens. “Do we have time? I wake up at 4 in the morning and I draw. I’m also a painter, so I’ve had art exhibits, and I still do up to now,” she explained.
Moreover, Tesoro believes that a good Filipiniana designer embodies characteristics of a) having a sense of history and b) knowing how to properly cut & sew. These are the essentials in creating your own couture. Because when art, sustainability, and ‘burloloy’ culture intertwine, heritage doesn’t fade. It shines brighter – and the Philippine fashion legacy lives longer.
