Fashioned in Negros
The best kind of holiday shopping is when something catches your eye before you even know who you’re buying it for.
At Butlak: 40th Negros Trade Fair, happening until Sunday, Sept. 27 at SM Aura, there are plenty of such temptations—from one-of-a-kind fashion pieces that can take you through the holiday circuit to beautifully made finds that belong under the Christmas tree. And yes, a few are perfectly acceptable gifts to yourself.
What makes the fair particularly appealing is the sense of discovery. You may walk in looking for something specific and leave with an unexpected favorite—a piece of Negros that feels personal enough to keep, or thoughtful enough to give away.
For those who like to stand out
From supermodel to designer: Ria Bolivar of Reveri wears a Filipiniana top made of retaso.
Crochet with a Filipino twist: Reveri by Ria Bolivar offers pretty crocheted blouses and Filipiniana tops crafted from retaso.
Local roots, bold prints: Get Spotted’s Emgee Po in her own designs.
Wear your Negrense favorites: Get Spotted turns inasal, batchoy and kansi into statement prints for its Namit Artist Series collection, created in collaboration with a young Ilonggo artist.
Carlo Eliserio of Raquel’s Piña Cloth Products
Barong, with a colorful twist: Raquel’s Pina Cloth Products offers barongs crafted from piña fabric in vibrant hues.
Kimonas, with a Negros twist: Donata by Kate Singson creates colorful modern kimonas and custom pieces, handcrafted in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Silky local luxe: Bib top made of Negros silk
Michelline Denim Blouse
Hablon elevated: Tilia/ Domesticity by Mariel San Agustin gives locally woven cotton, abaca and piña a modern spin with easy silhouettes, intricate embroidery and appliqué. Each piece is hand- loomed by women from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
Making Filipino craft seriously fun: Pinas Sadya’s Kabogera skirt with a Binakol weave accent and Gantimpala top with a saranggola pocket.
Step into sustainability: Lakat Sustainables sneakers are made from pineapple fiber, giving plant-based materials a stylish stride.
Denim gets a Hablon upgrade: Fiesta Philippines pairs classic denim jackets with colorful handwoven accents.
Filipiniana, with a modern mood: Ellege Handcrafted Fashion offers colorful blouses that put a fresh spin on a classic.
From supermodel to designer: Ria Bolivar of Reveri wears a Filipiniana top made of retaso.
Crochet with a Filipino twist: Reveri by Ria Bolivar offers pretty crocheted blouses and Filipiniana tops crafted from retaso.
Local roots, bold prints: Get Spotted’s Emgee Po in her own designs.
Wear your Negrense favorites: Get Spotted turns inasal, batchoy and kansi into statement prints for its Namit Artist Series collection, created in collaboration with a young Ilonggo artist.
Carlo Eliserio of Raquel’s Piña Cloth Products
Barong, with a colorful twist: Raquel’s Pina Cloth Products offers barongs crafted from piña fabric in vibrant hues.
Kimonas, with a Negros twist: Donata by Kate Singson creates colorful modern kimonas and custom pieces, handcrafted in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Silky local luxe: Bib top made of Negros silk
Michelline Denim Blouse
Hablon elevated: Tilia/ Domesticity by Mariel San Agustin gives locally woven cotton, abaca and piña a modern spin with easy silhouettes, intricate embroidery and appliqué. Each piece is hand- loomed by women from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
Making Filipino craft seriously fun: Pinas Sadya’s Kabogera skirt with a Binakol weave accent and Gantimpala top with a saranggola pocket.
Step into sustainability: Lakat Sustainables sneakers are made from pineapple fiber, giving plant-based materials a stylish stride.
Denim gets a Hablon upgrade: Fiesta Philippines pairs classic denim jackets with colorful handwoven accents.
Filipiniana, with a modern mood: Ellege Handcrafted Fashion offers colorful blouses that put a fresh spin on a classic.
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For those who like their wardrobe with a little personality, these pieces bring polish, flair and a touch of the unexpected.
For the young fashionista
Little-girl charm, little-boy cool: Milvidas by Maritoni Cu-Unjieng, Tina Romualdez pairs pretty crochet frocks with chambray polos and linen shorts set
Giving a classic look a playful update: Get Spotted by Emgee Po offers cute embroidered Filipiniana tops for young girls.
Little-girl charm, little-boy cool: Milvidas by Maritoni Cu-Unjieng, Tina Romualdez pairs pretty crochet frocks with chambray polos and linen shorts set
Giving a classic look a playful update: Get Spotted by Emgee Po offers cute embroidered Filipiniana tops for young girls.
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Because little fashionistas have wish lists, too. These pieces are made for tiny trendsetters with a style of their own.
For the bag hags
Bags with a purpose: Speranza by Mylene Aquino’s Negros collection is crafted by local artisans and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Weave it to me: Bev’s Handicrafts’ classic solihiya bag gets a striking update with Tinalak weave.
Fringe benefits: A statement- making fringe bag by Reveri that proves texture can be fun.
Waste not, want one: Reveri by Ria Bolivar’s Retaso tote gives recycled fabrics a stylish second life.
A colorful piece of history: The Ruins handbag is made from vibrant wooden beads, with each piece handcrafted by PDLs.
Leather meets Hablon: A classic leather bag gets a colorful local touch with handwoven Hablon accents.
Bags with a purpose: Speranza by Mylene Aquino’s Negros collection is crafted by local artisans and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Weave it to me: Bev’s Handicrafts’ classic solihiya bag gets a striking update with Tinalak weave.
Fringe benefits: A statement- making fringe bag by Reveri that proves texture can be fun.
Waste not, want one: Reveri by Ria Bolivar’s Retaso tote gives recycled fabrics a stylish second life.
A colorful piece of history: The Ruins handbag is made from vibrant wooden beads, with each piece handcrafted by PDLs.
Leather meets Hablon: A classic leather bag gets a colorful local touch with handwoven Hablon accents.
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Because one can never have too many bags—especially when each one comes with a little Negros character.
For those who love to accessorize
A little Filipino flair: A calesa brooch in handwoven Hablon makes for a charming finishing touch.
Small but mighty: Get Spotted’s earrings turn Negrense icons into wearable art, from tubo, inasal, piaya to MassKara.
A little Filipino flair: A calesa brooch in handwoven Hablon makes for a charming finishing touch.
Small but mighty: Get Spotted’s earrings turn Negrense icons into wearable art, from tubo, inasal, piaya to MassKara.
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The finishing touches can make the look. Earrings and brooches add that little something extra to an outfit.
For yourself
One for the wish list: This oversized straw shoulder bag from Speranza is hard to resist.
Art to carry: National Artist Patis Tesoro’s crocheted denim sling bag brings artistry to the everyday.
One for the wish list: This oversized straw shoulder bag from Speranza is hard to resist.
Art to carry: National Artist Patis Tesoro’s crocheted denim sling bag brings artistry to the everyday.
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Because sometimes the best thing on the list is the one you keep. No wrapping paper required.
Beyond the shopping, what stays with you is the story behind the merchandise—the hands that weave, embroider, crochet, and create, and the traditions that continue to find new expressions. That is perhaps what makes the fair worth returning to: it brings the work of Negros’ makers into the present, one thoughtfully made piece at a time.
