Daven Tamayo

How this designer turned his thesis on living traditions into collaboration with a global brand

Article (news)

Anna Cerezo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The ideas Wilson Limon explored while earning his fashion design degree didn’t end at graduation. Years later, they evolved into a collaboration with a global brand, bringing Filipino living traditions beyond the communities that have been preserving them for generations.Those classroom sketches found a new canvas in the RE.UNIQLO Artisan Patch Collection, which Limon led. The handcrafted patches feature embroidery traditions from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao on scrap fabric, allowing customers to personalize old and new LifeWear pieces.“For this collection, we worked with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). We focused on the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs),” the designer said.He went on saying:  “For Luzon, we highlighted the Itneg artisans from Namarabar, Abra. For Visayas, we worked with artisans in Panay Bukidnon of, particularly in Calinog, Iloilo. Then for Mindanao, we collaborated with the T’boli artisans in South Cotabato.”The pieces, part of the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Japan-Philippines Friendship, gives generations-old Filipino craftsmanship a place in everyday wardrobes, introducing traditions once mostly confined to local communities to a larger and more diverse audience.“Every design has a story. Most of them are inspired by nature, and there’s always a connection to the culture… It’s actually a big milestone for us because before, I was just drawing in school, and now I’m here at Uniqlo working with them. It’s really amazing,” Limon enthused. “But the creative director stressed that the collection is more than adding a stylish touch to everyday wear. They seek to create opportunities for the communities that have kept these traditions alive for generations— opportunities he hopes will outlast any fashion trend.“It  is a great livelihood for them. We are tapping 15-20 artists per community. Good exposure sa kanila. Imagine Filipino craftsmanship on a global brand. They are very excited.  It gives them pride because akala nila hangang doon lang. But no there is a lot of potential. We just have to give them the platform to be seen,” he said.Limon added that he hopes the collection will leave more than a fashion statement and a style trend. He hopes it will inspire more people to discover the country’s immensely diverse living traditions.<iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbLG41djVRM/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A20915114.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="510" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>“Actually, in reality, many people from the communities move to the cities to work, so fewer people remain who know these traditional crafts. That’s why the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs) are so important. This is the purpose of the SLTs all over the Philippines. It’s a project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) that teaches and passes on cultural traditions.&quot;Limon believes that once people experience these traditions firsthand, it is easy to develop the same appreciation and passion for the craft that transformed his own career.“I was born and raised in Davao City, and I took up Fashion Design there. Being born in Davao, it’s such a shame that I was exposed to different cultures, but I didn’t really know the meaning behind them. When I went to the foothills of Mt Apo for my thesis, I met artisans and saw their craft. That’s when I realized that this is what I wanted to focus on. I wanted to focus on casual wear that’s very relatable while celebrating our culture,” he recalled.  “I immerse myself a lot because I want to know the people behind the craftsmanship. That’s how I connect with them, and that’s how I can properly incorporate their work into my designs.”The collection features nine embroidered patches hand crafted by artisans from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and will be available in select Uniqlo stores from July 29.“It’s not just about extracting a particular design or technique—you have to understand its meaning,” Limon said.

The ideas Wilson Limon explored while earning his fashion design degree didn’t end at graduation. Years later, they evolved into a collaboration with a global brand, bringing Filipino living traditions beyond the communities that have been preserving them for generations.

The ideas Wilson Limon explored while earning his fashion design degree didn’t end at graduation. Years later, they evolved into a collaboration with a global brand, bringing Filipino living traditions beyond the communities that have been preserving them for generations.