Dennis Lustico: ‘My aim was simply to make beautiful clothes’
When I first saw the creations of Dennis Lustico many years ago, I told myself: This designer is talented. He has a promising future.
It was Celine Lopez, our YStyle editor then, who was one of his first believers when Lustico had just opened a simple, bare shop. Both Celine and I wanted to fill up that bareness.
Today, Lustico is not only a favorite of the well-dressed society; he is also one of the major couturiers shaping the direction of the fashion industry today. Particularly that direction that weaves culture into the threads of today’s fashion. As one of the mentors in the Ternocon project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Bench, he deserves applause.
Lustico sought artisans from Aklan, Lucban and Northern Luzon for his 50-piece collection highlighting piña sheaths, callado and meticulous embroidery of anahaw and malunggay leaves. Photos by MILLET MANANQUIL
Lustico sought artisans from Aklan, Lucban and Northern Luzon for his 50-piece collection highlighting piña sheaths, callado and meticulous embroidery of anahaw and malunggay leaves. Photos by MILLET MANANQUIL
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During Lustico’s “Pamana” show at Goldenberg Mansion, I could hear the soft swishing of the delicate local fabrics. And the loud applause of the viewers, headed by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, whose mission it is to help our local weavers and promote Philippine fabrics.
Lustico says he sought the artisans from Aklan, Lucban, and Northern Luzon for this 50-piece collection highlighting piña sheaths, callado and meticulous embroidery of anahaw and malunggay leaves. He points out the architectural elements that inspired him: the fringe trimmings reminding us of thatched roofs of the bahay na bato; allusions also to the historic houses of Batanes.
“When we hear the word ‘Pamana,’ we immediately think of the baro’t saya. I wanted to do something that had not yet been done. Something that’s contemporary yet will resonate even with global audiences. Something that’s wearable even years after this show,” explains Lustico.
The clothes whisper of Filipino inspirations yet have an international appeal. Local fabrics are used in muted shades of lilac and olive green. At the same time, there are metallic elements in gold, brass, and copper.
“Pamana” was produced with Consul Agnes Huibonhoa as chairperson, herself an advocate of art and culture. “This collection puts Filipino artistry in the forefront of national consciousness. I believe that fashion is for every Filipino from all walks of life,” she explains.
“This is the goal of Fashion Aid Philippines—to promote and elevate local design and serve as a vehicle to help talented creatives—from budding designers, shoemakers, beauty artists, embroiderers and weavers, accessories artisans to creative producers,” Huibonhoa adds.
Patrick Rosas, together with Lulu Tan Gan, Paul Cabral, Michael Leyva, Lustico, and Huibonhoa, leads Fashion Aid Philippines.
Yet amid this nobility of purpose, Lustico reminds us: “My aim was simply to make beautiful clothes.”
Applause.