Cordova mulled as fashion capital

CEBU, Philippines - Cordova Vice Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho is eyeing to position the town as the fashion capital in Cebu to help small dressmakers to penetrate the mainstream market.

Cho said that while some of the dressmakers in Cordova are known to the affluent market in terms of customized dressmaking, the sector needs technological support and proper training in fashion to maximize their potentials.

She further added that although Cordova’s dressmaking sector is not as established as the high-end fashion sector in urban centers like Cebu City, the town has somehow slowly carved its name in the industry.

Aside from being a tourism destination, Cordova had since been known as the home of good dressmakers, albeit have remained low-key wherein most dressmakers are still doing their jobs in their respective homes.

Cho said if given proper support by the LGU and the municipal council, these housewives could actually make it big in the industry.

Initially, Cho plans to provide formal trainings for the existing dress makers for them to get updated with the recent fashion trends at the same time maximize the townsfolk who are gifted in design to take up the sector a notch higher.

At present, Cordova LGU is partnering with several tourism-related businesses in the town to expand its tourism facilities to complement the significant growth of tourists visiting the coastal town.

Already, the town is helping some women residents to sell their handicraft souvenir products at the tourism center co-owned by the municipality.

The realization of making Cordova as the fashion capital in Cebu is seen to help more women and gifted young designers to launch their skills easily in the mainstream market.

Cho said that she will endorse this idea to the municipal council so that a budget will be allocated for livelihood training and to provide extended opportunities for residents.  (FREEMAN)