2022 Tela Conference presents the state of Philippine tropical fabrics
Through the Malacanang Proclamation 313 in 2012, January is observed as the Philippine Tropical Fabrics month, a time to recognize the beauty of locally produced fabrics and also to raise awareness about the use of natural fibers like pineapple, banana, abaca, and the Philippines silk, among others, in making textiles. In the same month, the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI) also celebrates its founding anniversary. This year, as it celebrates its 55th year, the DOST-PTRI looked at the state of the local textile industry during the 2022 Tela Conference last Jan. 27, 2022, with the theme “Weaving a Creative, Sustainable, and Inclusive Future of Philippine Textile, Today.”
During his opening remarks, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña stressed the importance of Filipinos wearing fashions made of local textiles these days.
"Philippine textiles today have not been in such encouraging times as before, like the heydays of big textile mills in the 70s and 80s. More than ever, it demands urgency, relevant strategies, and ingenuity in proposing and undertaking interventions to further boost and fortify the industry as we have it now," Secretary Dela Peña said. “I join the Philippine Textile Research Institute in calling for support to the textile industry by wearing Philippine tropical fabrics and other textile products made in the Philippines, whether we are from the government or not.”
To further its mission to bring the Philippine Tropical Textile to Filipinos closets, the PTRI also partnered with Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold in presenting the 2022 Tela Exhibition in Taguig City. The exhibition features a collection of wearable pieces crafted with the use of Philippine Tropical Fabrics and other materials, which are the output of homegrown technologies.
Together with farmers, weaving communities, and fashion designers and members of the Philippine Fashion Coalition, textiles made of pineapple leaves, banana, bandala, abaca, among others, were reimagined into garments fit for galas, casual dressing, home leisure, and workwear, breaking the Filipiniana and barong mold.
Watch Hannah’s 2022 Tela Exhibition tour here:
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