Cover Jor-El Espina celebrates his 20th year as a fashion designer with an exclusive preview of his next collection
Jor-El Espina celebrates his 20th year as a fashion designer with an exclusive preview of his next collection
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Designer Jor-El Espina celebrates his 20 years in fashion with a special preview of his next collection
Two decades in fashion design is quite an achievement, and for Jor-El Espina, it is something he takes to heart. Known for his contributions to the scope of modern Filipiniana dominating the local style landscape, Espina has honed his eye through the years. His latest endeavour, ‘Adaptation’, is the prelude to a series of small celebrations leading up to his main 20th anniversary show in 2025.
The show will coincide with the centenarian year of Art Deco, a movement that inspired design elements present in the ready-to-wear collection. “It is [essentially] a summary of the past 20 years of my career. [It is proof that] even though time has changed, I am still true to my aesthetic,” he comments.
The designer gave a sneak peek of what’s in store with a fashion presentation at Casa Buena, accompanied by a Filipino-themed luncheon. These pieces from ‘Adaptation’ will be showcased at this year’s ArteFino Festival, which the designer has been affiliated with since 2017.
Read more: Inside ArteFino Fair 2024: Patty Eustaquio for Bayo Atelier, Leeroy New’s installation, and more
Above Jor-El Espina celebrates his 20th year as a fashion designer with an exclusive preview of his next collection
Jor-El Espina celebrates his 20th year as a fashion designer with an exclusive preview of his next collection
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The word ‘Adaptation’ is embedded into Espina’s identity as a designer. Despite his growth, he still remains faithful to his vision. Indeed, a longtime admirer of the designer could catch certain motifs in this collection that have been prevalent throughout his previous work. Local materials are vital to the overall ‘look,’ such as piña and Mother of pearl, as well as weaving techniques like banig. A collector of fabrics, he also incorporated deadstock and vintage materials, some acquired as far back as 12 years ago.
“Based in Iloilo, I was fortunate to have access to these beautiful fabrics and talented artisans. I advocated the use of local fabrics early in my career, even if they were not very popular at that time. I would sometimes ask artisans to create weaves for me and incorporate them into my designs,” he recalls.
Colours in this ready-to-wear collection take a more subdued approach, as Espina had opted for more earth-toned hues like browns, greys and muted greens than his usual creams and beiges. “This is a very current colour nowadays, but they’re still never worn out of style. As a designer, I’m drawn to classic looks, something that can be worn through times and passed on [at the same time.]”
More from Tatler: ‘Pamana: Woven Legacies in Fashion & Dance’ champions the singularity of the Filipino identity
Above A ready-to-wear ensemble from Jor-El Espina’s ‘Adaptation’
Above A ready-to-wear ensemble from Jor-El Espina’s ‘Adaptation’
A ready-to-wear ensemble from Jor-El Espina’s ‘Adaptation’
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Above A ready-to-wear ensemble from Jor-El Espina’s ‘Adaptation’
Above A ready-to-wear ensemble from Jor-El Espina’s ‘Adaptation’
A ready-to-wear ensemble from Jor-El Espina’s ‘Adaptation’
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Espina states, “I wanted to show a modern application of these very same elements. ‘Adaptation’ is an application and interpretation of different eras in my career. It is also an exercise in venturing into the limitless realm of creativity with an open heart and mind.”
His accomplishments in local fashion design are nothing short of impressive, seen in the introduction of his signature Bomberong jackets (a bomber jacket-barong tagalog hybrid) to earning recognition among peers and admirers at ArteFino and beyond. Above all, it is something he acknowledges with humility and steadfast curiosity.
“I still feel like I’m new to this business and that there is so much that I still need to do. So much to create and discover,” he comments.
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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
