ANYONE can be in Kadayawan mood with the newest fashion pieces from one of Davao City’s renowned designers.
Amid the pandemic, Kay Mendoza Fanlo has released another collection that will make every Dabawenyo proud.
“The challenges kept on mounting up since the pandemic started last March. Most industries were shut down and the fashion industry, as well as events, took a direct hit. I and my fellow designers were not spared from the anxiety brought about by the minimal events,” Kay shared.
According to her, it was in May when she realized the need to innovate and embrace the new normal. Thus, she got inspired to come up with new designs for a new collection. In short, she took advantage of the quarantine as an opportunity to contemplate and draw new designs.
“Our products revolve around the different cultures and ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao. This paved the way for incorporating their hand-woven fabric into our contemporary designs. For this collection, we used the T'nalak fabric by the T'boli tribes. After our initial launch, we will be exploring other fabrics as well,” she said.
Aside from several designs of earrings, Kay’s latest collection includes male accessories, such as brooch and collar pins, as well.
The 10-piece collection boasts not only of craftsmanship but also of versatility.
“Our aim is to craft accessories that are not only fashionable but also versatile. In this collection, we have an earring set that has two ways of use. You can use it as stud earrings for a more casual look or you may add a detachable dangling clip for a more formal look,” she said.
With the current health crisis, Kay has likewise made use of her creativity and talent to protect Dabawenyos while staying fashionable.
“While the trend is towards designing fashionable PPE and face masks, we opted not to make our own. Rather, we partnered with 7xB abaca fiber mask Davao as our means to support local sustainable products,” she revealed. “For every purchase of our handmade accessories, there is an inclusion of 1 abaca fiber mask that also comes in different colors. With this cause, we can still express ourselves through fashion while being protected from the transmission.”
The pandemic has hit the designers badly, especially that traditional bazaars and conventions are not possible as of the moment.
“Our main challenge is adjusting on going digital, how to reach prospect clients through e-commerce and social media presence,” she narrated.
The effects of Covid-19 may have become unhealthy for businesses. Nevertheless, most business owners, including Kay, have not lost the drive to go on.
Kudos to all designers!
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If you have special events and fashion tips to share, or just want to discuss any fashion-related concerns with me, you are always free to reach me at mendoza.jennygrace@gmail.com. You may also follow Purple’s Nook on Facebook for more updates.