Definitely, a piece fit for a modern Filipino
We have seen the rebirth of terno in the past year in many stylish iterations. There is the menswear-inspired terno that's all about girl power. Another is the avant-garde type, a product modern designers' bold reimagination of the butterfly-sleeved look. And there is the casual terno that takes the classic Pitoy Moreno and Ramon Valera aesthetic and turns it into cropped tops, boleros, and easy blouses, fit for the modern Filipina's lifestyle. Adding to the many metamorphosis of the butterfly sleeves is this Cebu-based fashion designer's latest creation.
Ia Coca threads culture with cool by merging puffer jacket and terno in one piece creating what he called the terno puffer. "I always had the idea of making a terno version for a puffer jacket," he tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. "Something our OFWs could wear in the fall or winter and feel proud of the culture they are displaying."
"Our terno is our fashion stamp on the world stage," he continues. "It is what makes Filipinos unique and recognizable in everybody’s eyes. When we wear a terno we are carrying our identity and history on our shoulders."
Created last September 2020, the piece is among the many projects Ia Coca done while on community quarantine, apart from producing personal protective equipment (PPE) and face masks.
"For creative people, it (creating) is one way of sustaining a good mental state while we adjust to the new normal," he says. "When challenges arise, then we are forced to innovate. That is a good thing, that is how we flourish as creatives."
According to the designer, there are a number of ways to style the terno puffer. Don't be fooled by its streetwear vibe as it could also be worn in a much elegant way.
"The key to styling our terno puffer is to pair it with slim-fitting garments," he muses. "Wear it over a sleek dress on a chilly night or pair it with a fitted top and skinny jeans as a daytime look."
You can now pre-order your terno puffer at www.iacoca.com/ternopuffer.
Images from Ia Coca.