Bulaklak sa Panaginip
Myths and legends are age-old tales rooted in cultures all over the world. They are fantasies and figments of imagination brought to life through art, literature, cinema and fashion.
The Philippines boasts of a trove of mythical treasures, whose origins stem from the beauty and bounty of nature. The lushness and abundance of Mother Earth’s breathtaking landscape spawn countless species of flora and fauna.
This season, Filipino future brand Joanique recently launched its Spring/Summer ‘17 collection titled Bulaklak sa Panaginip ( Flowers in Dreams) at the most prestigious fashion accessories trade show in the world — Premiere Classe — at the Jardin de Tuileries in Paris. At the four- day event, fascinating contemporary accessories and wooden minaudières, inspired by Philippine flora (like dahlia, jasmine and gumamela), went under the global spotlight.
The seasoned brand (noticed by the fashion icon Iris Apfel and Vogue Japan’s Anna dello Russo) magically takes us to dreamland as it showcases a surreal yet authentic take on handcrafted design on wood and semi-precious metals. The collection revives childhood fantasies, fairy tales and even stories in children’s books. The flowers with eyes and lips that appear in our dreams are now incantations found in Joanique’s designs.
The brand pushes its creative boundaries beyond convention with its whimsical and graphic interpretation that tickles our imagination. Wood-carved masterpieces embellished with beaded eye and lip details take the seriousness of fashion and style with a hint of fantasy.
Joanique thrives in celebrating Philippine culture and tradition through modern design. Its visionary take promotes the preservation of hand- carving and hand- embroidering methods that have been existing in Philippine culture for centuries. Through the decades, however, less attention has been given to the art form. There is a great need to preserve artisanal work, which is a great pride of a nation. Each masterpiece embodies the brilliance and mastery of artisanal excellence, with a visionary advocacy of awareness and sustainability. Fantasy and reality are extreme opposites. At a certain point, ends do meet. After all, everything starts with a dream.