MANILA, Philippines - Twenty five years ago, Dita Sandico Ong distinguished herself as a budding ethical fashion designer with her passion to create collections from beautiful local and natural textiles, while espousing her advocacies to protect the environment and support indigenous communities. She started with what she knew best — abel iloco from her province Ilocos Sur — and debuted with a collection of stylish dresses and made of blue and white brocade weaves from Santiago, Ilocos Sur.
From north to south of the country, she found herself in the midst of weaving communities, drawing inspiration from the weavers who sit and toil stripping, knotting, warping and dyeing the yarns that are finally woven into a piece of fabric. She continues to empower and work hand in hand with the local weaving communities in Bulacan for piña-lino; Catanduanes for banana fiber/banana linen/banana rayon; Oriental Mindoro for handwoven Mangyan cloth; Ilocos Sur for pinilian (a repeating pattern of stylized designs) and the Tboli weavers of Lake Seibu with their tinalak fabric.
By thinking out of the box with her modern touch, she has reshaped Philippine fashion with her trademark designs such as her innovative paru-paro wraps and lukot line. Now, she has come full circle in her 25th year in fashion by helping revive the weaving traditions of her province Ilocos Sur, under the governance of heritage advocate Gov. Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
For Dita’s 25th year celebration with the theme “High on Silver!” on Sunday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the A-Venue Antel Lifestyle Center in Makati, viewers will see her world of sustainable living, fashion, and Ilocano heritage plus a beauty and wellness bazaar/fair, live performances, music CD launches, book launches, highlighted by the Dita Sandico Ong retrospective fashion gala.