With much fan-fare
A fashion accessory reminiscent of centuries past the fan has recently resurfaced as one of the current coveted pieces in cosmopolitan Manila. History dates the fan’s origins to pre-Spanish era but its presence grew in astounding proportions in local culture beginning colonial times.
A symbol of heritage, the fan became a staple among women and even the most discerning men. But as time passed, technology advanced and fashion outmoded the fan.
One local brand, however, continues to believe in the preservation of this heritage piece as it is close to the heart of Philippine culture. Casa Mercedes, a pillar in the local fan-making industry, is currently headed by second-generation heir, Monchet Olives. One of Manila’s well-respected purveyors of taste, Monchet’s visionary creative direction has reinvented the classic and re-established the old into the new.
The old-now-new fan is no passing fancy as chic hits the fan with a global audience. For five years, the presence of the heritage piece in Manila Fame has put it back on the fashion map. Casa Mercedes was awarded the Katha Award for Best Product Design at the recent trade show edition for its Icoño series, which displayed distinctive and playful blurbs (reminiscent of colonial past) on contemporary materials.
Every fan has a story. These unearthed style pieces have a little bit of pop culture, historical reference and a deep sense of patriotism. More importantly, the famed series is a special and exclusive collaboration of Casa Mercedes with one of the country’s retail institutions and heritage brands, Tesoros, headed by the youngest of the Tesoro children, Maria Isabel Tesoro. Fanning over with Maldita, Susmaryosep, #ShetAngInit, Puñeta and Que Horror are five styles exclusive to Tesoros branches around the country.
These two brands are no strangers to each other since Casa Mercedes has been supplying fans to Tesoros since the ‘50s. These two Filipino companies parallel in vision as they step future forward in reinventing, redesigning and innovating products of relevance to all ages. The exemplary style fusion of Tesoros and Casa Mercedes is pioneering an advocacy of having a deeper sense of transcending history, tradition and culture into fashion.
Casa Mercedes, with its rich heritage, is fanning out more substance into the local style market. After the success of the Icoño series, another one is up to hit the spotlight. The peacock design unfolds in a beautiful spectrum of hues that echoes exotic beauty. Inspired by the endemic Palawan peacock, the petal-shape design originally came from the petal series requested by fashion icon Pitoy Moreno to match a terno request of former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. These fans were made using varied materials, forward construction and contemporary prints. These soon-to-be must-haves are brilliant statement couture-like pieces that go beyond the art of conversation.
What’s in a fan? Fashioning this heritage piece reveals a threshold of stories. Stories with blood that run deep as a reflection of our culture, heritage and people. It is an epitome of style and substance that matters. Now, have you become a fan?
