Cover A gown by Pitoy Moreno featuring the Sarimanok on display at ‘Timeless: J Moreno’
A gown by Pitoy Moreno featuring the Sarimanok on display at ‘Timeless: J Moreno’
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‘Timeless: J Moreno’, a centennial celebration of the renowned Filipino couturier, is now on display until June 2025
Opportunities to explore the inner workings of a legendary artist can be rare and few, but this special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila is a chance to view the renowned works of a noted visionary. In collaboration with the Jusi & Piña Legacy Foundation, the museum presents Timeless: J Moreno, a tribute honouring the centennial anniversary of renowned Filipino designer José “Pitoy” Moreno.
Curated by New York-based art historian Dr Florina H Capistrano-Baker, with assistance from co-curator Ditas R Samson and Los Angeles-based fashion curator Clarissa Esguerra, it allows visitors to explore Moreno’s iconic designs and their profound impact on Philippine fashion. This project moves beyond a display of garments, as it delves into fashion as an academic discipline and a reflection of a personal narrative.
“There are so many stories you can pick from the individual dresses or from the way that they were grouped together,” says Capistrano-Baker. “Each story and each dress is a part of history that has its own biography.”
In case you missed it: A Pitoy Moreno exhibition is set to open at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Above A gown embellished with Capiz shells by Pitoy Moreno on display at ‘Timeless: J Moreno’
Above A gown by Pitoy Moreno on display at ‘Timeless: J Moreno’
A gown embellished with Capiz shells by Pitoy Moreno on display at ‘Timeless: J Moreno’
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Rather than following a strict chronological order, the exhibition is structured around themes that showcase the evolution of Moreno’s style. It features his early work with the Bayanihan Dance Company, including their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. His innovative approach to integrating traditional Asian textiles such as piña, jusi, and Japanese obi into Western silhouettes is a key focus of the exhibition. Moreno’s appreciation for indigenous motifs is evident, seen in his repeated use of the Sarimanok, a mythic bird from Philippine mythology.
Another highlight is the collection of Moreno’s wedding gowns, created for high-profile clients, including former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former Miss International Gemma Cruz. Accompanying the exhibition is a publication that documents Moreno’s artistic contributions while also offering insight into his life and relationships.
See also: 5 insights on fashion, according to Alexander McQueen
Above A gown by Pitoy Moreno on display at 'Timeless: J Moreno'
Above A wedding gown by Pitoy Moreno on display at 'Timeless: J Moreno'
A gown by Pitoy Moreno on display at 'Timeless: J Moreno'
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“This exhibition and publication celebrating the centennial of Moreno’s birth aims to reinscribe his important contributions and deliberate deployment of design to fashion a Philippine identity,” explains Capistrano-Baker. “It also aspires to inspire and guide the new generation of designers in their quest for impactful careers that simultaneously contribute to nation-building.”
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
