 |
MKFI Founder and Chairman Santanina Rasul,PCID President Amina Rasul, and Atty. Salma Rasul with designers Cora Manimbo and Len Cabilis and Oskar Atendido at the closing event of the Eid’l Fitr Festival 2013 at The Block, SM City North EDSA. |
The Festival
of the Breaking of the Fast or popularly known as Eid’l Fiter is a worldwide celebration that marks the end of the
Holy Month of Ramadan. It is an
important event that usually falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month
of the Islamic calendar. More than that,
it is a time of joy, forgiving, and thanksgiving among Muslims as they take the
occasion to strengthen the ties with family and friends, giving gifts and alms
and feast together.
Spearheaded by the Magbassa Kita Foundation
(MKFI) and SM City North EDSA together with the Philippine Center for Islam and
Democracy (CID), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the National
Commission of Muslim Filipinos, the holding of the festivities in Manila is an
excellent springboard to build better understanding and appreciation among
Filipinos of ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in the country.
Habi
at Hiyas ng mga Dayang Dayang at Bai during opening night gave mallgoers a rare
glimpse of formal and traditional attires of Muslim nobility. No less than
members of Muslim nobility of the Sultanates of Sulu-Maguindanao, and Lanao
represented by Bai Aminah Razziah Tamano Lucman, Datu Reza Sinsuat
and Dayang Dayang Hadji Rosalyn Rose
Bahjin-Swadjaan wore their
resplendent robes designed with intricate embroideries and weaves symbolic to
each house and accessories.
Mallgoers were likewise dazzled on closing night
with Muslim inspired creations by designers Amir Sali, Cora DJ Manimbo, and Len Cabili worn with exquisite filigree jewelry by Oskar Atendido.
Amir
Sali Aluk popularly known as Amir Sali, the Prince of Beads is the
only Filipino in the Middle East Interior Designer’s Association and is a
favorite designer and couturier of Middle East princesses. His family’s roots are in Jolo, Sulu and
later Zamboanga City. It was however,
when he took up Fine Arts in Interior Design at the University of San Carlos
that he discovered his talent in fabric fashion designing.
He worked for 17 years in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
where royal family members are his prime clients. Brides from all over Asia have come in search
of a Sali dress, including Her Royal Highness Princess Adela bint Abdulla of
Saudi Arabia.
As the Prince
of Beads, beadwork is elevated to a work of art in Sali’s creations No
longer are beads, sequins, and feathers embellisments, on a Sali dress,
movement and texture are the full point of the work. As shown in the bridal
collection he presented in the show, Sali creates unique masterpieces that are
rich and elegant by utilizing elements and components from all over the world –
the finest thread, French lace, European fabrics, Italian beads, and crystals.
Len
Cabili is the founder and
creative designer of Filip+Inna. As a
child growing up in Iligan City, Mindanao, she would remember visits to her
home by Maranaos in all their finery. The impression they made on her is the heart
of Filip + Inna, which is inspired by tradition, intertwined with the
contemporary woven together to create timeless and unique pieces of clothes.
Filip + Inna brings into each garment ancient
techniques of weaving, embroidery, and beadwork from different indigenous
groups of the Philippines. Its mission
is to create while also reviving – even preserving ancient traditions of the
Philippines that are in danger of being lost.
Len works with many groups of talented artisans across the Archipelago,
giving them an opportunity to improve their livelihood.
Cora
Manimbo started designing
Filipiniana dresses only in 1997 upon requests from her local and foreign
clients, yet she has built her prestigious image with her legendary clinetele
from Europe, the Middle East, and the US.
She has made clothes for Muslim nobility in Mindanao and other Asia
countries, as well as gowns for Saudi Arabian princesses. Members of the
Philippine Congress, the diplomatic corps, as well as top notch executives are
also her clients.
Her timeless clothes have been featured in the
prestigious events in the US – the Independence Day celebration in Los Angeles,
California, a fashion show organized by the Filipino consulate at the Marriot Hotel in New Jersey, the
Filipino-American Educational Conference in San Francisco California.
Members of the Professional Models Association of
the Philippines wore these beautiful Muslim inspired clothes with filigree
jewelry by Oskar Atendido.
The three day event also showcased an exhibit of
Muslim attire by Pitoy Moreno, the
Fashion Czar of Asia, and Ms. Patis
Tesoro along with traditional Muslim costumes.
The Eid’l Fitr Festival is one of the many exciting cultural events at SM City North EDSA.
.jpg)
0 Comments