(Photos Courtesy of Adam Pereyra)
Without a doubt, the Philippines is a melting pot of different cultures and talents. Filipinos have a history of creating innovative designs that push boundaries in the fashion industry. Today, young designers are revolutionising the scene with their unique pieces that reflect Filipino culture and heritage.
Up-and-coming Filipino fashion designer Adam Pereyra is all that and more. Aiming to elevate Filipino identity and culture through wearable clothing, Pereyra’s design embraces the history of the Philippines. A resident scholar at SoFA Design Institute, he created his own extension of Pinoy pride with excellent wearability factors in mind.
His latest collection “Alanganin: Spring-Summer 2022” shows its integration of innovation in cuts and introducing fresh, new concepts.
“Alanganin literally means ‘doubtful or unsure’, it’s also colloquially known in the Philippines as an ‘inside joke’ to tell if someone is gay — in which I thought, are the exact components to encapsulate this collection.” Pereyra shared.
Dreaming about himself dressed in a Philippine 'terno' inspired him to create his collection. As he recalls the memory, he shared that this is a representation of his inner doubts and uncertainty.
“For 2 years, it’s always been a battle with myself if I should just discard the idea ― a proof of my internal shame. Until I realized that I was dealing with something bigger than myself. As this collection now exists as a platform for us to explore the unknowns of Philippine fashion.” He shared.
(Photos Courtesy of Adam Pereyra)
The collection challenges the norm by representing Filipinos, who are prohibited from wearing certain clothes, to question the market's place in Asian societies—which opens up a dialogue about breaking decades-old traditions.
All clothing in this collection has a feminine silhouette and yet is made for the male body. Pleated butterfly sleeves patterned to fit men’s armholes are one of many examples of how this collection blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity. With the collection moving forward in the modern approach in Philippine fashion, this gender-fluid and androgynous style of design is emerging from the Philippines and across Asia.
The collection is filled with piña fabric (from dried pineapple fibers), banig (or woven mat used by Filipinos to sleep on), and deadstock cotton-linen and waffle-weave curtains. The choices reflect Filipino culture in more than one way: the materials are well-known and valued for their comfort and durability, and they reflect the country's attitude to reuse and recycle.
(Photos Courtesy of Adam Pereyra)
Adam Pereyra’s “Alanganin” collection shows an innovative way of digitally presenting the collection in the Philippines. The aspiring diplomat-turned-designer wants to show big changes in design. As individualism and regionalization are equivocal to multiculturalism and modernity, the role of fashion is to be simultaneously multifarious and unified.
“As fashion importance increase in Asia, I see myself pinning Manila and Southeast Asia as the next fashion hub in the world through a highly individual yet modern approach in clothing.” He said.
With his knack for creating a line of clothing that represents the Modern Filipino culture, Adam Pereyra is ready to take on greater heights, all for the sake of a stronger Philippine Fashion industry.