Here's to a bright future for Filipino fashion
As it celebrates Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month and its 45th founding anniversary, the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI) launches two destinations, both physical and virtual, that will help Philippine fashion and its movers thrive.
The DOST-PTRI welcomes Filipino fashion creatives and startups to its newly constructed TELA Gallery, Textile Design and Innovation Hub. Located in Bicutan, Taguig City, the textile hub's goal is to help upcoming designers and budding business owners have space, technology, and resources that will enable them to jumpstart their fashion endeavors. Visitors will have a chance to take advantage of the DOST-PTRI's facilities and expertise in innovating and developing Philippine textile products.
A tour led by Miss Universe PH 2nd runner-up Michelle Gumabao shows every component of the textile hub. It has an exhibition space featuring natural dyed and woven fabrics from all over the country. Its wide space can be used by fashion designers and entrepreneurs for product and collection presentations. While its conference room is ideal for more intimate and virtual meetings. The hub also has co-working spaces, which are good for product prototyping and technical consultations.
"This is a physical and also virtual space for collaboration among our various textile stakeholders, whether they be in the National Capital Region or they are designers, social enterprises, entrepreneurs, or our weaving communities and dyeing communities in the provinces and other regions," says PTRI Director Celia Elumba. "This is a fantastic opportunity for us."
Apart from the textile hub, the department also relaunches the Philippine Textile e-Portal. The online platform aims to connect people with the handloom weaving and natural dyeing communities. Developed by the GREAT Women Project 2, the website houses information such as the history of the Philippines' weaving and dyeing culture, a color library, and a directory of communities and producers of local fabrics.
To know more about the TELA Gallery, Textile Design and Innovation Hub and Philippine Textile e-Portal, you can send an email to [email protected].