Jared Servano: Native Son
Fashion designer Jared Servano.
Few couturiers have promoted the beauty of Philippine tribal design. Jared Servano is one designer who proudly incorporates ethnic elements in his creations. He blends Western silhouettes with breathtaking Filipino weaves and the results are pieces of wearable art that beautifully stand out in any event.
Uptown/Downtown caught up with Jared to learn more about his entry into the world of fashion, his love for tribal design, his advocacy and his thoughts on how women should see fashion.
It was Jared’s mother, a local dressmaker in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, who influenced him to be in fashion design. His mother’s livelihood also put Jared and his siblings through school.
“Having been exposed to dressmaking at an early age, I somehow got interested in it as well, and eventually discovered my talent in designing clothes. In fact, even after obtaining a college degree in Physical Education, my penchant for fashion design remained and so I eventually pursued this.”
Jared started designing clothes for friends and family, and eventually joined local fashion events in Koronadal City and in some other parts in Mindanao. Later on, the Southern-based designer decided to join Project Runway Philippines Season 4 where he finished Top 3, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Born and raised in Koronadal City, Jared has been exposed to the different ethnic designs that the tribes in his locality wear. He was most drawn towards the work of the B’laans of Southern Cotabato.
What drove Jared even more towards using these designs was the process that the indigenous people followed to create their products. He was attracted to the weaving process, the choice of raw material and various beading materials. He appreciated the time and effort that the members of the B’laan tribe invested in their work. Using ethnic designs in his creations reminds Jared not to forget his roots no matter where his passion takes him.
However, Jared is far from your average ethnic-inspired designer. “I am quite aware that fashion, in order to be wearable, has to be comfortable. But I do get challenged utilizing materials that are not normally used or that need various techniques in order to bring out their best properties. I recently made a gown using abaca (Manila hemp). This gown was featured in the 2016 International Fashion Showcase in London. Abaca is normally very stiff and when untreated, it is difficult to wear. But using techniques I have learned through the years, I was able to make it fluid and comfortable,” he explains.
Another dimension to Jared is his sense of mission. He is most passionate when he talks about his advocacy. Through the Jared Servano Foundation, in partnership with A’nsif Foundation Inc., he hopes to achieve two goals: establish a Center for Living Traditions where tribal masters of the B’laan tribe of Southern Cotabato can teach their craft to younger generations; and support the education of the B’laan children in select areas of Southern Cotabato.
“I advocate for our indigenous designs. I believe that our ethnic patterns, forms and materials can be modern and edgy as well. I am also a believer of socio-entrepreneurship,” Jared shares.
When asked about what advice that he would give to style-minded women, the designer simply shared, “Fashion is a form of art. It is a form of expressing yourself. Your clothes should reflect a part of who you are — your uniqueness. Do not be a copycat. While it feels good to impress others with your fashion sense, the primary consideration should always be you — what you are comfortable with, what you want, what your preference is. As they say, you are what you wear,” he concludes.
Photography by Jep Viloria • Clothes by JARED SERVANO (0926-7279446 or 083-2284394)
