Mountain pride
Be your own statement.” A powerful yet modest, pure and sincere design philosophy from young promising fashion designer Harvic Dominguez. In the world of style where thousands dream of becoming the next big thing, Harvic believes in carving a path of his own.
“I am an Igorot and I support ethical fashion. I am very lucky to have a diverse Cordilleran heritage, which I incorporate in my creations,” says Harvic.
To fulfill his dreams, Harvic initially took different jobs: a cartoonist for a local newspaper, events management correspondent and an English tutor. And then, he landed an apprenticeship with designer Noel Crisostomo, who later on encouraged him to go back home and start a business in his hometown.
(Left) Abstract-print jumpsuit by Harvic Dominguez; abaca Wataru slip-ons available at Collezione C2. (Right) Jumpsuit by Harvic Dominguez and slip-ons by Zara.
With no formal training or schooling in fashion, Harvic, who has a Business Management degree and a background in advertising, started designing in 2011 and has been using inabe (a hand-woven textile by the indigenous communities of the Cordillera Region) and fusing it with other locally sourced materials to create ready-to-wear and made-to-order ensemble for both men and women.
Through his modern and innovative designs, love for heritage and strong sense of identity, this visionary continues to support indigenous communities by patronizing traditional hand-woven textiles of independent weavers.
Harvic admires the late Narda Capuyan of the iconic Narda’s in Baguio, a renowned Igorot entrepreneur who was able to bring Cordillera art globally. He also admires the aesthetics of Inno Sotto, Cary Santiago and Ivarluski Aseron.
His distinct creations and artistry have led him to take part in Manila Wear at Manila FAME. He was also one of the featured designers in the bi-annual Manila Fashion Festival. He was a recipient of a citation from the NCCA’s Ready-to-Wear Clothing Design Competition and a finalist at the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines’ Weaving the Future: A Social Design Competition.
(Left) Button - down shirt with inabe weave detail by Harvic Dominguez; joggers and slipons by Zara. (Right) Inabe weave striped jacket and matching pants by Harvic Dominguez; abaca Wataru slipons available at Collezione C2.
Today, Harvic is proud of his brands CORDI (an RTW brand whose name obviously comes from Cordillera); and the high-end ABIKMA (acronym for six provinces of the Cordillera region where he sources his fabrics: Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Apayao) for made-to-measure clothing and wedding garments.
“Aside from establishing my business, my dream is to be part of the international fashion community and be able to contribute to the Filipino identity,” he says. “I’m grateful that I have chosen a career that can be lucrative and at the same time I am able to express our culture through art.”
Harvic’s designs go beyond the tropical appeal as they have depth and stories to tell. “At the end of the day, it is not about what you can get but what you can give,” he concludes.
Inabe weave striped blazer, button-down shirt with inabe weave and with stripe details by Harvic Dominguez; slip-ons by Zara.
Photography by Ria Regino • Creative direction and fashion styling by Luis Espiritu Jr. • Associate stylists: Bang Martinez and Diane Lasam • Makeup and hairstyling by Baba Parma • Model: Julian Wondorf from Mercator • All clothes by harvic dominguez (34 South Drive Road, Baguio City. For more information, call 0917-6287636 or visit harvicdominguez.com) • Shot on location at Lagun Hotel, El Nido (www.lagunhotel.com) • Special thanks to Richmond Bicol and the management and staff of Lagun Hotel
