WHEN crowned 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray wore a Tagakaolo Tribe-inspired skirt at an event in New York, more people appreciated the culture and art from Mindanao.

Davao-based award-winning fashion designer Wilson Limon who also designed the skirt wore by Gray said he already sold around 20 pieces of the skirt for P15,000 each and more orders are still on the queue.

“Catriona Gray is truly an influencer. When she tagged me on Instagram, few days after, many people are inquiring about the skirt. We had 20 orders of the skirt and we were featured at the different news outfits so it is really a big help. Also, people are now advocating local designs,” Limon told reporters during Habi at Kape media forum Wednesday, May 15.

The Tagakaolo Tribe-inspired skirt is made-to-order and most orders are made online through ninofranco.ph, a Davao City-based label launched by Limon. The clothing line uses native fabrics and pattern into its contemporary fashion collection.

“Most of the orders are online through Instagram. So we give them the measurement guide kasi it has to be their specific measurement. If it’s that expensive naman, dapat kakasya talaga sa client. So far, all the measurements given are right, wala pa naman kaming na-repair so far,” he said.

“We do video calls now to assist the client in their measurements. Kasi with that price range, we would like to give the best,” he added.

Limon further said that by showcasing designs inspired from the different indigenous tribes like the Tagakaolo, more jobs will be given to these communities since their materials are coming from them.

“We want to engage the communities in the industry that is why we are going to design more on something contemporary like embroidery,” Limon said.