Tribal Wear Gets A Modern Makeover In A Unique Fashion Show That’s About To Hit Sydney This Weekend

First, it was Filipino food. Now, it’s tribal wear. Handwoven indigenous designs that have long existed in the Philippines will take center stage at a fashion expo and cultural exhibit in Sydney on Saturday, June 2.

Acclaimed Filipino fashion designer Francis Sollano, who was feted at the Design Canberra Festival last year, is back in Sydney to showcase the latest in upcycling fashion.

He is joined by two other social entrepreneurs Sheila Lumayo and Anya Lim to promote the works of Anthill, Lumago Designs and W&C T’boli.

The brands are cutting-edge yet traditional, supporting communities in the Philippines that make handwoven and indigenous designs.

Sollano, Lumayo, and Lim are the special guests of ‘Tuloy Po Kayo’, a fashion show and cultural expo mounted by community organizations Plaza Filipino, NARRA Co-op, Adhika and Flagcom, Inc. through the support of the Philippine Consulate-General Sydney.

“We have been thinking of a cultural project to celebrate this year’s Philippine Independence Day and this opportunity came up,” said Bob Reyes, vice president of Plaza Filipino, a not-for-profit group supporting Philippine arts and culture.

“The concept behind ‘Tuloy Po Kayo’ is that it encapsulates Filipino hospitality and the generous way we look after our guests. This fashion show and the cultural exhibit will be a lot like that – opening our arms to those who want to support indigenous Philippine fashion,” he said.

Not just a fashion show, the ‘Tuloy Po Kayo’ will feature touch-and-see stations, getting up close to the various accessories as their origins are explained by the event’s curators.

Lending his support to the show is leading Sydney fashion designer Leonardo Salinas, whose family hails from Pangasinan and choreographer, Emma Braceros, a native from Davao and an expert in T’Boli dance.

Also bringing some star power to the event is Jodilly Pendre, Asia’s Next Top Model, acclaimed dance choreographer Novy J. Bereber and for the contemporary Philippine cuisine, food stylist Angelica Hawkins.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 2 at Tramsheds, formerly the historic Rozelle tram depot but is now one of Sydney’s hippest food precincts.

Tickets are $50 and include drinks, canapes and raffle draw prizes.

Proceeds from the event will also go towards the funding of ACI Central, a Philippine community art gallery and performance space in Campbelltown.

To secure your tickets, contact Precy Buchlak on 0427 893 523.