The power of clothing at SM Mall of Asia

Manila, Philippines -  Fashion as art was highlighted during the recent Fashion Take exhibit launched at SM Mall of Asia Atrium. A joint project of SM Supermalls and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the exhibit is a diverse documentation of Philippine clothing from as early as 1903 and the decades leading to 2012. It highlights Philippine fashion through photos, paintings and sketches of Filipino photographers, artists and designers.

A compelling study on the evolution of local fashion, and how fashion is synonymous with function, identity, power, ornamentation and symbols, Fashion Take is a beautiful compilation of archival or vintage photos of indigenous Filipinos in their finery, fashion sketches of pioneering designers, urban lifestyle photographs of the Commonwealth period, and contemporary fashion shoots of leading fashion photographers.

The exhibit reveals how fashion has had a hand in reflecting the values, shifting common ideas, molding attitudes and shaping the aesthetic notions of the Filipino people. It also examines the power of clothing, its impact on Philippine society, and its functionality in relation to the elements.

Curated by Met trustee and consulting curator Corazon S. Alvina, the show features the archival photos of Jonathan Best and private collectors, fashion photographs by Wig Tysmans and Neal Oshima, as well as reproductions from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas art collection.

Guests were also fascinated with beautiful gowns by Ito Curata, Steve de Leon, and Dita Sandico-Ong, as well as sketches by Danilo Franco, Toni Galang, Barge Ramos and Slim’s School of Fashion.

Former Senator Nikki Coseteng led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and was guest of honor. The event was attended by top artists and photographers, fashion designers, and corporate executives including photographer Wig Tysmans, Slim’s School of Fashion’s Mark Higgins, and designers Ito Curata, Tony Galang, Danilo Franco, Barge Ramos, Nilo Agustin, and Tria Villais-Ramolete, SM officials led by VP for marketing Millie Dizon, SM Mall of Asia regional operations manager Perkin So, and mall manager Chris Coquia welcomed guests together with Met Museum directors Cora Alvina and Sandra Palomar-Quan.