Gillian Faye L.

Lechoco

9-18-15

FD 214- Textile, Fiber, and Fabric Production

Knitwear in the Philippines

Whether we like it or not, we wear clothes not knowing what type of fabric it is--- whether it is
woven or knitted. Worst part is that we often associate the term woven with primitive textile,
and the term knitted usually with chunky cardigans. What we dont know is that we use these
garments every day, most especially knitwear. It is not only limited to cardigans, but also on tshirts, dresses, and even casual blouses.
An online website called Vito Studio (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/) sells some of the
Philippines most famous fashion designers, and showcases some knit garments used for luxury
and comfort.
A Filipino fashion designer named Lulu Tan-Gan has been known for her well-crafted knits.
She is renounced as the Queen of Knitwear, because of producing knits with modern
aesthetics and great versatility. Moreover, she also explores on pia and silk for her handwoven
line called Indigenous Couture. As for me, Ive never encountered any fashion designer that can
uses knit in this manner, wherein the fabric is as if treated as a woven--- usually used to drape
for sensible garments---, and Tan-Gan has really shown artistry by manipulating knit to
exemplify luxury at its best. Here are some of her knit creations sold online in Vito Studio
(http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/71-tan-gan?n=50&id_category=71):

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TAN GAN BEIGE KNIT STRIPED DRESS

Materials: cotton knit and lace.
Details: lace overlay at the hem and sleeves.
Draped details.
Care Instructions: Dry clean only.
Handmade in the Philippines

TAN
GAN FLESH EMPIRE SHIFT DRESS WITH
LACE APPLIQUE
Materials: Lace, handloomed knit.
Details: lace applique.
Care Instructions: handwash or dry clean.
All handmade in the Philippines

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TAN-GAN KNIT PANTS

Fabric: cotton blend knit.
Technique: space dyed.
Care instructions: Hand wash and hang to dry.

Another Filipino fashion designer---specifically, a Cebuano--- named Jun Escario also uses
knit fabric to show off a womans elegant and slender silhouette that is suitable for any elaborate
events--- which, for me, is a great option because knit can hug a persons body real good to
show the female form. On the following content, notice that he usually uses jersey knit as his
main fabric (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/24-jun-escario).

JUN ESCARIO BLACK AND NUDE COCKTAIL DRESS

Materials: jersey
Details: Geometric patterns; with satin belt
Enclosure: hidden zipper at the back
Fabric allows for stretch
Care Instruction: Hand wash or dry clean.

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JUN ESCARIO MUSTARD GOWN

Fabric: stretch jersey.
Details: halter top neck, gold geometric embellishments, one long
sleeve on the left arm, train connects to the sleeve. With train. With
lining.
Care instructions: Dry clean only.

JUN ESCARIO BLACK AND WHITE WIDELEG

JUMPSUIT WITH COWL NECK AND T-BACK DETAILS
Materials: Stretch jersey with lining
Details: T-back opening and cowl neck; wide leg
Enclosure: Hook enclosure at the nape
Fabric allows stretch
Care Instruction: Hand wash or dry clean.

Its a sure thing now to know more or less about Rajo Laurel, one of the greatest forces in
the Philippine fashion industry. He has always been known to dress up big celebrities for A-list
events like the most recent Star Magic Ball, but its not a common thing to see an active wear
collection by him. In this portion, the Vito Studio launches his Athletenique collection--- describe
in the website as his uber sophisticated active wear line the completely redefines ones notion
of dressing on-the-go. Jersey fabric has been a great textile for dynamics and movements that
cover great distance. It also showcases playful colors, suitable for the collections purpose.

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RAJO LAUREL TUG OF WAR TARAWERA

DRESS
Fabric: Jersey.
Details: Criss crossing teal garter details on the back
and four garter shoulder straps. Hidden zipper. Fabric
provides stretch.
Care Instructions: Hand wash, hang to dry.

RAJO LAUREL BUNT DRESS

Fabric: jersey.
Details: geometric pattern in gray across front, on the sides and
center back. Pocket detail also at the back. Exposed black zipper.
Care instructions: Hand wash, hang to dry.

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He explained, I dont want to limit a person to certain categories. Is it for men? Is it for
women? It is simply for you--- thats how the Gender-less Collection of designer Joey
Samson is all about (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/13-joey-samson). He is just one of those
artisans who masters androgynous fashion, and this is what his collection portrays. With the
given silhouettes, anyone can wear the following knit garments shown below.

JOEY

SAMSON WHITE GENDERLESS KNIT TOP

Materials:

cotton, knit

the

Details: panels are sewn together to create sports-inspired patterns on

shirt. Kimono sleeves. Hook and eye enclosure at the back.

Preorder

JOEY

Period: One to two weeks.

SAMSON GRAY GENDERLESS KNIT TOP

Materials: cotton, knit

the

Details: panels are sewn together to create sports-inspired

patterns on the shirt. Kimono sleeves. Hook and eye enclosure at
back. Stretch waist band
Preorder Period: One to two weeks.

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Today, knitwear isnt just all about garments and such here in the Philippines; because
knitwear is now also used to raise funds to Filipino indigenous people preserve one of the most
historic landmarks. Ricefield Collective, a group formed by Meredith Ramirez Talusan, aims to
help Ifugao women preserve Banaue Rice Terraces (http://ricefieldcollective.org/). It all started
when Meredith met Jean Mundiguing, a farmer in the village named Uhaj. As stated in the site
(http://ricefieldcollective.org/how-it-began/), Jean described how the farmers in the region were
in dire need of supplementary income because their old way of life--- the rice and vegetables
they raise on the mountains were no longer enough to sustain them. So they abandon their
ancestral fields, and move to the city or to work abroad where income is greater than they earn
from farming. Who preserves our Rice Terraces? It is definitely the Ifugao farmers. Because of
this story, Meredith--- who also happens to knit--- started to teach eight women to knit, and the
organization grew, til theyre able to make knitwear. Here are some of their products.

LEGWARMERS WERE MADE BY MEREDITH.

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As what Ive mentioned, there are a lot of garments that we dont know are knits. To know
which is which, there are several tests to prove that its knit, not woven. As what Threads
Magazine have mentioned (http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/5152/knits-wovens-whatsthe-difference), the knit fabric has one continuous yarn looped repeatedly to create what looks
like little rows of braids--- unlike the oven one that has grains forming right angles, like a basket.
Moreover, when a knit fabric is stretched along its width, it will stretch significantly, but slight
when stretched along its length; it is very unlikely to happen in a woven fabric. Lastly, when you
ball up a knit in your hand, it will crush easily. When you release it, the fabric will spring back
into shape with few, if any, wrinkles. You test your garments, and if it gives the results
mentioned, then its knit.
Ive tried those processes, too, to recognize if I--- by any slightest chance--- have knitwear
made here in the Philippines, or brought from any local brands, and I do have some. Here are
just some of the locally-made clothes or those brought in local brands.

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Top with neck and sleeve piping from

Bayo. Material not indicated in the tag.

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Paisley-printed sleeveless top from Get

Laud! brand. Material is also not indicated.

Navy blue top from

Fish18 (lifestyle brand from

Loalde).

also

Material

is

not

indicated,

only

hand care instructions.

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Sleeveless top with peter pan collar from Bayo.

Again, no material indicated, only hand care
instructions.

Printed dress from SMs GTW Fab.

Material

is also not indicated in the tag.

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Black leggings from Calico. Material not indicated.

Blue sweater from Bayo. Material not indicated.

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Every one of us has knitwear--- theyre just in our closet. Thick or even translucent types can
be considered as such for as long as the loops are present, and knitwear is not only associated
with chunky outerwear, so its very safe to say that knitwear can be worn anytime and in any
place here in the Philippines.

Source/s:

http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/
http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/71-tan-gan?n=50&id_category=71
http://vitostudio.com/shop/1106-2771-large/tan-gan-beige-knit-striped-dress-.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/723-1972-large/tan-gan-red-empire-shift-dress-with-lace-

applique.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/214-671-large/lulu-tan-gan-asymmetric-ruffled-pants.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/479-1302-large/jun-escario-black-and-nude-cocktail-dress-

with-geometric-prints-and-covered-buttons-at-the-hem-line.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/160-745-large/jun-escario-mustard-gown.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/42-116-large/rajo-laurel-ss12rjdrs002.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/42-117-large/rajo-laurel-ss12rjdrs002.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/47-739-large/rajo-laurel-ss12rjdrs007.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/1442-3439-large/joey-samson-top.jpg
http://vitostudio.com/shop/1443-3437-large/joey-samson-top.jpg
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http://ricefieldcollective.org/
http://ricefieldcollective.org/how-it-began/
http://ricefieldcollective.org/a-goat-in-sheeps-clothing/
http://ricefieldcollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/untitled-1.jpg
http://ricefieldcollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jean-slide-1-of-11-960x390.jpg
http://ricefieldcollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jacinta-1-of-1-960x390.jpg
http://www.asianweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ricefield-press-1_gallery.jpg
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/5152/knits-wovens-whats-the-difference
Own pictures of knit garments

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