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Fan co-designed by Pitoy Moreno gets 'maong' treatment

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Leilani Chavez

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/27/fan1.png"/><figcaption><em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – After the much-celebrated Icoño series, Casa Mercedes is returning to its roots by releasing the fan designed by legendary designer Pitoy Moreno alongside the brand’s matriarch, Ling Olives.</p><p>The fan is distinguishable because of its petal-shaped design, which was intended to complement Moreno’s terno for former First Lady Imelda Marcos.</p><p>It is the heart of the recently unveiled Maong Tagalog collection of the House of Tesoro’s tunic dresses, barongs, pouches, shawls, and slippers. All of these are made from upcycled denim by local craftsmen.</p><p>Fanman Monchet Olives said the choice to use denim to usher in the new collection has a lot to do with style forecasts for 2018, which all pointed to the versatile fabric. </p><p>“So we put out a lookbook and said hey, this is how we can put denim together,” he explained. “Maong is actually very hip—and will always be very hip.”</p><p>Denim is everyone’s closet staple, Olives noted. “Denim is a very social fabric and it cuts across demographics. Everyone has at least one pair of jeans in their wardrobe,” he added.</p><p>But reinventing the petal-shaped fan was also their way of remembering the roots of Casa Mercedes, which started in 1951. <br/> <br/>“The story of the fan is not just about selling a product. It’s their (craftsmen) story, not mine,” Olives said, attributing the brand’s success to the craftsmen who have been with their family for almost 30 years. “Doing the fans, like my mommy and aunt would say, is really finding happiness.” </p><div><strong>HOURS OF LABOR</strong></div><p>Making the petal-shaped fan is no easy task, shared Antonio delos Santos, who has been making fans for Casa Mercedes for 27 years now. </p><p>Despite decades of experience, these unique accessories require tedious work. </p><p>“I’m responsible for making the fringes,” Delos Santos narrated as he uses a thin needle to pull out one small thread after another, showing no signs of boredom at the deed. “I can only finish three petals in an hour… It might be dull for most, but I enjoy making fans.”</p><p>The 12-inch petal-shaped fan has 15 leaves glued to wooden ribs. Once finished, one petal gets embroidered with flower designs. At the time of the release of the Maong Tagalog collection, only 10 pieces were available at the Arnaiz branch of Tesoro’s.</p><p>“Making these fans is so meticulous that they [Antonio and the others] can only make available 10 fans for the launch,” said Olives, assuring everyone that just like the Icoño series, there will be more petal-shaped fans soon.</p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/27/fan2.png"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/27/fan3.png"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/27/fan4.png"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/27/fan5.png"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/27/fan6.png"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Handout</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Handout</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Handout</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Handout</cite></div></div><div class="item-desc"><div><cite>Handout</cite></div></div></div></div><p>Olives also takes pride in their partnership with Tesoro’s, one of the pillars of Philippine embroidery since its inception in 1945.</p><p>Aside from fans Casa Mercedes, the Maong Tagalog collection offers abaca slippers, embroidered shawls pouches, tunic dresses, barongs, and other accessories from partners Inabel, Great Women, Crystal Seas, Anthill, Clay Storytellers, and Takatak.</p><p>“Artisanal crafts are relevant especially when they revolve around three basic areas: upcycling, conscious consumerism, and last but not the least, the buzzword ‘glocal’ or local is the new global,” Olives explained.</p><p>“When you buy items from Tesoro’s, always remember that you are supporting a craftsman,” he ended.</p>

<p>After the much-celebrated Icoño series, Casa Mercedes is returning to its roots by releasing the fan designed by legendary designer Pitoy Moreno alongside the brand’s matriarch, Ling Olives. </p>

After the much-celebrated Icoño series, Casa Mercedes is returning to its roots by releasing the fan designed by legendary designer Pitoy Moreno alongside the brand’s matriarch, Ling Olives.