MANILA, Philippines - With its butterfly sleeves and fluid silhouette, the terno has long been associated with elegance, making it a formal occasion dress of choice during Philippine cultural and social events.
First making its appearance in the four-piece baro’t saya worn by the mestizas in the 1800s, it has since evolved into exquisite evening wear through the works of legendary couture designers like Ramon Valera, who is credited for removing the panuelo, and later Pitoy Moreno, Ben Farrales, and Joe Salazar.
The terno’s timeless appeal finds it in a fresh new expression in modern times — this time in a formal ready-to-wear Filipiniana line by Raffaella at Kultura Filipino, the store where one can find a treasure trove of all things Filipino.
The Raffaella collection celebrates the traditional butterfly sleeved terno in indigenous fabrics like jusi, pina, and silk. Embellished with exquisite beadwork and delicate hand painting, these will make grand entrances in any gala occasion. Raffaella also has creative modern Filipino dress designs with matching boleros, pleated bodices, and ball gown skirts.
Great for parties, formal events, and other special occasions, the Rafaella collection is available at Kultura Filipino stores at SM Makati, SM Megamall, The Block at SM City North-EDSA, the SM Mall of Asia, and SM City Cebu.