Extraordinary textile @ SM Aura

MANILA, Philippines - Mall goers recently had the rare opportunity to see how international designers link patrimony, tradition, heritage and contemporary art in their collections at the recent Festival Internationale des Textiles Extra Ordinaires (FITE) fashion presentation at SM Aura Premier. The International Festival of Extraordinary Textiles creates a unique platform that promotes textile as a representation of culture and heritage on the international stage. The idea is to gather craftsmen, textile designers, fashion designers, weavers, artists, collections, decorators and the general public across all continents to show the human, economic and ecological challenges inherent in extraordinary textiles.

Launched by the HS Projets Association and co-organized by the city of Clermont-Ferrand and the Bargoin Museum in 2012, FITE travels through five continents. On even years, it takes place in Clermont-Ferrand in France. On odd years, the event is held outside France. Through a rich and diverse program, FITE becomes the venue for artists, stylists and designers to discuss the craft of textiles and gain a different perspective in the world.

A joint project of the Embassy of France in the Philippines, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, HABI: The Philippine Textile Council and SM Aura Premier, the event is part of the ongoing Renaissance Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Under the patronage of UNESCO, the exhibit presents a series of textiles that juxtapose diverse heritage pieces and contemporary collections.