‘Retashow’ Kidswear Edition: Quezon City’s catwalk to sustainability
Once upon a time, on a planet called fashion, I designed children’s clothes for the boutique I shared with my sister Letlet. Of all the kinds of party dresses that we made, that was my favorite. There is something about the carefree innocence of childhood that made me enjoy creating frothy little pieces of organza adorned with delicate touches of lace and embroidery.
Today’s little girls (and boys) have a much wider spectrum of choices before them, including kiddie versions of the prevailing fashion. At the recent Retashow Kidswear Edition, held at Gateway 2 in Araneta Center, two dozen kids stole the show from competing Quezon City-based designers as they sashayed and posed on the runway like seasoned models. The designers, many of them housewives from barangays across the city, made ingenious use of retasos (scraps of fabric), neckties, sack material, old baby clothes, and other leftover materials to come up with kidswear that showcased their ingenuity.
The goal was to make a statement about fashion’s impact on the planet and its future. Held the day after Earth Day (April 22) and during Environment Month, the show was meant to impress upon children the importance of sustainability. The future belongs to them, after all.
“I would like to share something personal with you,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte in her welcome remarks. “I am a very proud outfit repeater, by choice and by practice. Wearing the same clothes to different events isn’t an accident, it’s a statement that practicality is powerful, that repeating outfits is smart, sustainable, and should be normalized, and not just normalized but celebrated as well.”
This is a sentiment that resonates with me, as there is nothing I like more than “shopping” in my own closet. Going back through a wardrobe that dates back to the Eighties and wearing these personal vintage pieces bring back memories and serve as an inspiration to stick with my diet. Being selective about what you buy, as I always was, is an investment that pays off big time. My two daughters often raid my closet for fashion from decades past which are very much still wearable today.
When you realize that at this moment, there are enough clothes on the planet to outfit the next six generations, it reminds us to be more mindful about what we buy. Supporting designers with sustainable practices, buying only what you need and repurposing what you already own can be our share in curbing the big carbon footprint that the fashion industry makes upon the planet.
Retashow: Kidswear Edition was a fun event and while not all the clothes were wearable in a strict sense, they still sent out a message that creativity plays a big role in sustainable fashion. The challenge was to see the potential in old or used pieces of clothing and material. The 24 designers who joined the competition showcased their playful side, looking back to their own childhood memories for inspiration. To encourage them, six winners were chosen and received P50,000 each as a prize.
Rosalyn Valdez took inspiration from leaves, flowers and butterflies. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Bernadeth Mae C. Diaz uses a floral motif to tell a story of renewal and rebirth. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Elizabeth V. Dalida is inspired by her own daughter to keep learning. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Hazel Manuel Roldan took inspiration from her lola’s closet and made a panuelo from sackcloth. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
John Michael P. Junio was inspired by his younger self who dressed Barbie dolls with scrap fabric.
Ma. Joy Pauline R. Castillano believes fashion can be a way to save the planet. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Katherine Mae Anonuevo is a lawyer and she was inspired by a discarded Mountain Dew bottle. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Loucel Baltazar used the old clothes of her kids to create a modern rocker girl look inspired by Korean fashion. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Mary Grace M. Aguilar used hand-stitched quilting to tell a story of childhood.
Neil Brian Capistrano thinks that fashion represents a movement and was inspired by daisies.
Nichole M. Samson is a fashion design student inspired by pop art. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomes guests to the second edition of “Retashow,” held at Gateway 2. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Mayor Joy Belmonte with winners of this year’s “Retashow” competition. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Rosalyn Valdez took inspiration from leaves, flowers and butterflies. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Bernadeth Mae C. Diaz uses a floral motif to tell a story of renewal and rebirth. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Elizabeth V. Dalida is inspired by her own daughter to keep learning. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Hazel Manuel Roldan took inspiration from her lola’s closet and made a panuelo from sackcloth. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
John Michael P. Junio was inspired by his younger self who dressed Barbie dolls with scrap fabric.
Ma. Joy Pauline R. Castillano believes fashion can be a way to save the planet. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Katherine Mae Anonuevo is a lawyer and she was inspired by a discarded Mountain Dew bottle. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Loucel Baltazar used the old clothes of her kids to create a modern rocker girl look inspired by Korean fashion. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Mary Grace M. Aguilar used hand-stitched quilting to tell a story of childhood.
Neil Brian Capistrano thinks that fashion represents a movement and was inspired by daisies.
Nichole M. Samson is a fashion design student inspired by pop art. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomes guests to the second edition of “Retashow,” held at Gateway 2. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
Mayor Joy Belmonte with winners of this year’s “Retashow” competition. Photo from Quezon City Government/Facebook
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I am also encouraged, and a misplaced blouse has had me going through my closets and coming across old forgotten favorite pieces in the process. Being able to fit into your old clothes is a healthy incentive and also contributes greatly to a sustainable lifestyle. The payoff is a fashionable way to save the planet.
