SAN FRANCISCO – Hand woven Filipino fabric is getting attention on global runways these days. Though it has been an uphill effort, thanks in part to fashion designers proud of these indigenous weaves and to organizations such as The Hinabi Project (THP) which is dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and practice of the Philippine/American weaving arts in natural fiber. For its first major exhibit of the year, THP together with KALAYAANSF, and in collaboration with the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center, and SOMA Pilipinas, they proudly present Anthony Cruz Legarda’s retrospective piña creations. This fashion show and gala is part of the celebrations in honor of the 124th proclamation of Philippine Independence Day. The highly anticipated event will be held on Saturday, June 25 at 6-10 p.m. at the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center at 814 Mission Street, Mezzanine, in downtown San Francisco.
Cruz Legarda, a Filipino American fashion designer and textile technologist, incorporates authentic handwoven fabrics from the Philippines and Asia into distinctive American apparel as well as modernizes luxurious ethnic cloth for the eco-fashion world. Cruz-Legarda is proud of his involvement with Philippine-based organization, CustomMade Crafts Center, whose mission is to promote and expand the market for fairly traded and sustainable Philippine indigenous handicrafts that respects traditions. He has also partnered with the Philippine Textile Research Institute in the development of innovative Philippine fabrics that he transforms into authentic handwoven works of art.
Currently, his creations are on display at the San Francisco International Airport’s Museum at the Harvey Milk Terminal. It will run from April 18 to November 2022. His works have been featured globally since 2007, dressing the top 8 finalists in the Miss Earth beauty pageant, which promotes environmental awareness. Since then his eco-friendly clothing collection has been featured in several fashion shows from Manila to Shanghai, Rome, New York, San Francisco and many more. He has been a featured artist at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, The Guggenheim Museum Theater in New York City, and The World Trade Center in Metro. In the past few years, Cruz-Legarda has partnered with the Autism Hearts Foundation in showcasing art works of autistic kids and their colorful paintings on piña fabric from shawls, and fans to Philippine traditional “ternos.”
Cruz-Legarda pursued a degree in Fashion Merchandising at the City College of San Francisco and furthered his education at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, graduating in Fashion Design. For more information on the Piña Couture, please contact Maya Ong Escudero at [email protected]. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/2ekukyut.
