TABUK CITY – The Province of Kalinga hosted the Laga Fashion Show 2019 on July 14, the eve of Cordillera Day 2019, to showcase the different Cordilleran designers, models, and traditional weaving designs. Designers and models from all over the Cordillera presented the intricate interpretations of various Cordillera weaving patterns in four categories: kids, business formal, business casual, and wedding.
The hosts of the Cordillera Gong Relay have featured fashion shows for the 3rd consecutive year. Last year’s show featured the designers and weavers of Hungduan, Ifugao, organized by the Provincial Government of Ifugao. This year, the Province of Kalinga engaged one designer to represent each province. Creations featured modern-inspired clothing infused with Cordillera fabrics and accents which highlight the potential use of Cordillera weaving beyond traditional wear.
The models included children, government employees, and professional models, each representing their respective provinces and cities.
Regional Development Council Vice-Chair and NEDA-CAR Director Milagros Rimando said that the fashion show was very timely as the Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee, led by DOST-CAR, is preparing a Cordillera Weaving Industry Development Plan. “It’s about time that we strengthen our weaving industry, not only in Kalinga but in the entire Cordillera”, Rimando said.
The Cordillera Weaving Industry Development Plan is a multi-year, strategic plan that aims to encourage multi-sectoral collaboration for the development of the regional weaving industry. According to DOST-CAR, the weaving industry is a priority agenda of several government agencies such as DTI-CAR and DOT-CAR. This development plan aims to consolidate these efforts to better capacitate weavers in production, equipment, and market linkages.
Kalinga has taken on the initiative to promote the tradition of weaving by incorporating this in the senior high school curriculum in the province. The initiatives of stakeholders such as the province of Kalinga and the various government agencies in the Cordillera aim to preserve and develop the living tradition and art of Cordillera weaving.
By Marlo T. Lubguban
