EVERY designer, when creating a dress or a whole collection, is not only showing his prowess; it’s them telling their stories, the inspiration behind it—even their advocacies.

Such is the case of fashion designer Dexter Alazas who has been incorporating the fabric hablon into his designs as his way of promoting and supporting local products. An addition to his line Hablonuevo is his 2018 collection featuring formal resort wear. This is also part of Dexter’s quest to identify what constitutes “Cebu wear.”

“It is inspired by the campaign to identify “Cebu wear” and what could be its very own dress code in answer to the mestiza dress with butterfly sleeves or the traditional Maria Clara,” he said.

Through the details, it bears his desire to support the use of this hand-woven material as well. “This new development is also about awareness to bring back the cotton farming industry particularly in Argao. These (the designs) are pure cotton hablon de cebu weaves specially hand-woven and hand-dyed to create the colors,” he shared. He also incorporated metallic hablon for that added shine and glitter.

“My personal wish for those who will wear them is to take pride and love our local products. By wearing our voice, this will brand Cebu to be among Davao, Iloilo, Abra and Benguet who celebrate fashion not just a passion but a lifestyle,” he said.

“The coolness of pure cotton, the comfort it offers to the wearer, and Cebu as a tropical paradise island; I feel its time to embrace our own ‘Cebu wear.’”