Designer launches salted egg-inspired fashion collection

Para Kay Nanay…, a conceptual fashion collection, narrates the multi-faceted journey of motherhood – with each hand-stitched seam a manifestation of a son’s unconditional love and gratitude.

Back in June 2023, fashion design student Lance Ernest Rubio visited his hometown in Isabela for a project. He was, however, surprised when his mother, Agnesa, met him at the bus station with fear in her eyes.

“She was wearing a very old dress – a pambahay – no bra, just a piece of towel wrapped around her shoulders to cover her up and protect her from the cold,” he recalled. “She had a belt bag around her waist with little money from selling eggs that day.”

Rubio realized she was running away from his father. He brought her to a safe space – a hotel – where she was finally able to rest.

“I only went back to Isabela that day for a bridal fitting,” Rubio shared. “Little did I know, my mom, a former bride, was escaping from a marriage that had been making her feel like a nobody.”

Rubio could not help but recall the many challenges his mother faced to support the family. This served as his turning point as he decided to utilize his talent and platform to honor her.

For his debut collection in completion of his Fashion Design and Merchandising degree from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), the young artist launched Para Kay Nanay…, a conceptual line which represents Agnesa’s life.

“It is a series of trickled-up versions of the clothes she wore when she was experiencing hardships,” Rubio explained.

The collection is inspired by  Agnesa’s day-to-day wardrobe, from the checkered button-down and gardening hat she sported when she tended to the itikan, to the go-to shirt, gloves, and apron she used when preparing salted eggs.

The thorough procedure was reflected in the sustainable creation of the collection, as Rubio used the reddish-brown mud from their family’s salted egg venture to bring a rich and natural color and texture to the garments.

Another technique was borax crystallization, where crystals grow on the fabric, motivated by the importance of rock salt in their livelihood. He likewise utilized the magenta dye to add vibrance to his pieces.

Para Kay Nanay… introduced five looks. Itlog na Pula comes with an apron and gloves dyed in crystalline and sheep skin leather pants with pannier. Doon sa Itikan dons a sheep skin leather cap with crystalized veil matched with a button-down with mud-dyed layered skirt.

Buro has a crystallized veil top, and corseted skirt in mud-dyed lace. Balutan features a crystallized veil in red egg dye and a white lace gown.

“These clothes are about seeing the beauty in simplicity, finding new ideas from old traditions, and turning memories into designs,” Rubio shared.