The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
When iconic fashion czar Albert Figueras was chosen as one of the three designers (the other two being Renee Salud and Toni Galang) to participate in the “Karayan A Pagbiagan…Aywanan!” which would feature the employ of Iloco Abel or simply “inabel”—a process of weaving in the Ilocos Region—as a special presentation of the 31st anniversary of Kannawidan Foundation, Inc. in a gala and dinner dance to celebrate the Iloco Foundation for Arts and Culture, he was apprehensive of how to come alive with the material and the concept.
“I love experimenting on indigenous materials to be given a new look and design because they are sources of Filipiniana fashion but this time, an intricate ‘inabel’ material was involved. I am familiar with it but the implementation is another thing,” said Albert in an interview right after the fashion parade held at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel on January 26, 2025.
According to Figueras, he waited for the meeting with the organizer and concept maker of the project to explain his art..
“Handa ako (I was prepared),” he exclaimed.
Albert has been doing Filipiniana collection in many of his fashion shows aside from the contemporary designs he could muster in the sartorial field.
Besides, Figueras has been a wardrobe and costume designer for many stage plays, musicals etc. both Filipino and foreign theater, so transforming an “inabel” weave and textile could be affiliated with native material, cut and sew.
He was also given a concept and mantra of the project—“Care for our Rivers the Wellspring of Life.”
“Nag-isip ako nang nag-isip kung paano kung maisasakatuparan ang disenyo ko sa tema ng (I kept on thinking how to implement and complement my designs and the materials to the theme of the) show,” recalled Albert.
Initially, Figueras thought of the combination of colors black and white to concretize the natural elements of rivers.
“Kasi, di ba, ang ilog na napakarami sa Ilocos, may contrast ng white and black, ang tubig, puti, ang mga bato, (The rivers and there are lots of them there, have contrasting elements, the water is white while the pebbles are dark or) black,” the haute couture expert informed.
Albert faced up with the organizers and explained to them the meanings and overall concepts of his ideas but they had second thoughts.
Figueras stuck to his concepts.
He stood on his ground which finally had convinced the decision-making of the organizers.
Black and white combination, Albert thought, was a noteworthy visual delight not only to him but to the spectators as well.
Indeed, black and white is a dichotomy of powerful natural elements as rivers sustaining life.
His finale was a bridal gown which was highlighted by a bouquet of native mats being held by the hands of the model, Querubin Gonzalez whom veteran and knowledgeable fashion plates Patty Betita and Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis found the bridal mannequin “halimaw” (read: slayer in the ramp).
Figueras was well-applauded in his collection that sent him to conquer his doubts and fears.