Gillian Faye L. Lechoco 9-18-15FD 214- Textile, Fiber, and Fabric Production

Knitwear in the Philippines Whether we like it or not, we wear clothes not knowing what type of fabric it is--- whether it is woven or knitted. Worst part is that we often associate the term woven with primitive textile, and the term knitted usually with chunky cardigans. What we dont know is that we use these garments every day, most especially knitwear. It is not only limited to cardigans, but also on t-shirts, dresses, and even casual blouses. An online website called Vito Studio (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/) sells some of the Philippines most famous fashion designers, and showcases some knit garments used for luxury and comfort. A Filipino fashion designer named Lulu Tan-Gan has been known for her well-crafted knits. She is renounced as the Queen of Knitwear, because of producing knits with modern aesthetics and great versatility. Moreover, she also explores on pia and silk for her handwoven line called Indigenous Couture. As for me, Ive never encountered any fashion designer that can uses knit in this manner, wherein the fabric is as if treated as a woven--- usually used to drape for sensible garments---, and Tan-Gan has really shown artistry by manipulating knit to exemplify luxury at its best. Here are some of her knit creations sold online in Vito Studio (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/71-tan-gan?n=50&id_category=71):

TAN GAN BEIGE KNIT STRIPED DRESSMaterials:cotton knit and lace.Details:lace overlay at the hem and sleeves. Draped details.Care Instructions:Dry clean only.Handmade in the Philippines

TAN GAN FLESH EMPIRE SHIFT DRESS WITH LACE APPLIQUEMaterials:Lace, handloomed knit.Details:lace applique.Care Instructions:handwash or dry clean.All handmade in the Philippines

TAN-GAN KNIT PANTSFabric:cotton blend knit.Technique:space dyed.Care instructions: Hand wash and hang to dry.

Another Filipino fashion designer---specifically, a Cebuano--- named Jun Escario also uses knit fabric to show off a womans elegant and slender silhouette that is suitable for any elaborate events--- which, for me, is a great option because knit can hug a persons body real good to show the female form. On the following content, notice that he usually uses jersey knit as his main fabric (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/24-jun-escario).

JUN ESCARIO BLACK AND NUDE COCKTAIL DRESSMaterials:jerseyDetails:Geometric patterns; with satin beltEnclosure:hidden zipper at the backFabric allows for stretchCare Instruction:Hand wash or dry clean.

JUN ESCARIO MUSTARD GOWNFabric:stretch jersey.Details:halter top neck, gold geometric embellishments, one long sleeve on the left arm, train connects to the sleeve. With train. With lining.Care instructions:Dry clean only.

JUN ESCARIO BLACK AND WHITE WIDELEG JUMPSUIT WITH COWL NECK AND T-BACK DETAILSMaterials:Stretch jersey with liningDetails:T-back opening and cowl neck; wide legEnclosure:Hook enclosure at the napeFabric allows stretchCare Instruction:Hand wash or dry clean.

Its a sure thing now to know more or less about Rajo Laurel, one of the greatest forces in the Philippine fashion industry. He has always been known to dress up big celebrities for A-list events like the most recent Star Magic Ball, but its not a common thing to see an active wear collection by him. In this portion, the Vito Studio launches his Athletenique collection--- describe in the website as his uber sophisticated active wear line the completely redefines ones notion of dressing on-the-go. Jersey fabric has been a great textile for dynamics and movements that cover great distance. It also showcases playful colors, suitable for the collections purpose.

RAJO LAUREL TUG OF WAR TARAWERA DRESSFabric:Jersey.Details:Criss crossing teal garter details on the back and four garter shoulder straps. Hidden zipper. Fabric provides stretch.Care Instructions:Hand wash, hang to dry.

RAJO LAUREL BUNT DRESSFabric:jersey.Details:geometric pattern in gray across front, on the sides and center back. Pocket detail also at the back. Exposed black zipper.Care instructions:Hand wash, hang to dry.

He explained, I dont want to limit a person to certain categories. Is it for men? Is it for women? It is simply for you--- thats how the Gender-less Collection of designer Joey Samson is all about (http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/13-joey-samson). He is just one of those artisans who masters androgynous fashion, and this is what his collection portrays. With the given silhouettes, anyone can wear the following knit garments shown below. JOEY SAMSON WHITE GENDERLESS KNIT TOPMaterials: cotton, knitDetails: panels are sewn together to create sports-inspired patterns on the shirt. Kimono sleeves. Hook and eye enclosure at the back.Preorder Period: One to two weeks.

JOEY SAMSON GRAY GENDERLESS KNIT TOPMaterials: cotton, knitDetails: panels are sewn together to create sports-inspired patterns on the shirt. Kimono sleeves. Hook and eye enclosure at the back. Stretch waist bandPreorder Period: One to two weeks.

Today, knitwear isnt just all about garments and such here in the Philippines; because knitwear is now also used to raise funds to Filipino indigenous people preserve one of the most historic landmarks. Ricefield Collective, a group formed by Meredith Ramirez Talusan, aims to help Ifugao women preserve Banaue Rice Terraces (http://ricefieldcollective.org/). It all started when Meredith met Jean Mundiguing, a farmer in the village named Uhaj. As stated in the site (http://ricefieldcollective.org/how-it-began/), Jean described how the farmers in the region were in dire need of supplementary income because their old way of life--- the rice and vegetables they raise on the mountains were no longer enough to sustain them. So they abandon their ancestral fields, and move to the city or to work abroad where income is greater than they earn from farming. Who preserves our Rice Terraces? It is definitely the Ifugao farmers. Because of this story, Meredith--- who also happens to knit--- started to teach eight women to knit, and the organization grew, til theyre able to make knitwear. Here are some of their products.

LEGWARMERS WERE MADE BY MEREDITH.

As what Ive mentioned, there are a lot of garments that we dont know are knits. To know which is which, there are several tests to prove that its knit, not woven. As what Threads Magazine have mentioned (http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/5152/knits-wovens-whats-the-difference), the knit fabric has one continuous yarn looped repeatedly to create what looks like little rows of braids--- unlike the oven one that has grains forming right angles, like a basket. Moreover, when a knit fabric is stretched along its width, it will stretch significantly, but slight when stretched along its length; it is very unlikely to happen in a woven fabric. Lastly, when you ball up a knit in your hand, it will crush easily. When you release it, the fabric will spring back into shape with few, if any, wrinkles. You test your garments, and if it gives the results mentioned, then its knit. Ive tried those processes, too, to recognize if I--- by any slightest chance--- have knitwear made here in the Philippines, or brought from any local brands, and I do have some. Here are just some of the locally-made clothes or those brought in local brands.

Top with neck and sleeve piping from Bayo. Material not indicated in the tag.

Paisley-printed sleeveless top from GetLaud! brand. Material is also not indicated.

Navy blue top from Fish18 (lifestyle brand from Loalde). Material is also not indicated, only hand care instructions.

Sleeveless top with peter pan collar from Bayo. Again, no material indicated, only hand care instructions.

Printed dress from SMs GTW Fab. Material is also not indicated in the tag.

Black leggings from Calico. Material not indicated.

Blue sweater from Bayo. Material not indicated.

Every one of us has knitwear--- theyre just in our closet. Thick or even translucent types can be considered as such for as long as the loops are present, and knitwear is not only associated with chunky outerwear, so its very safe to say that knitwear can be worn anytime and in any place here in the Philippines.

Source/s: http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/ http://vitostudio.com/shop/en/71-tan-gan?n=50&id_category=71 http://vitostudio.com/shop/1106-2771-large/tan-gan-beige-knit-striped-dress-.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/723-1972-large/tan-gan-red-empire-shift-dress-with-lace-applique.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/214-671-large/lulu-tan-gan-asymmetric-ruffled-pants.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/479-1302-large/jun-escario-black-and-nude-cocktail-dress-with-geometric-prints-and-covered-buttons-at-the-hem-line.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/160-745-large/jun-escario-mustard-gown.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/42-116-large/rajo-laurel-ss12rjdrs002.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/42-117-large/rajo-laurel-ss12rjdrs002.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/47-739-large/rajo-laurel-ss12rjdrs007.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/1442-3439-large/joey-samson-top.jpg http://vitostudio.com/shop/1443-3437-large/joey-samson-top.jpg http://ricefieldcollective.org/ http://ricefieldcollective.org/how-it-began/ http://ricefieldcollective.org/a-goat-in-sheeps-clothing/ http://ricefieldcollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/untitled-1.jpg http://ricefieldcollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jean-slide-1-of-11-960x390.jpg http://ricefieldcollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jacinta-1-of-1-960x390.jpg http://www.asianweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ricefield-press-1_gallery.jpg http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/5152/knits-wovens-whats-the-difference Own pictures of knit garments2 | Page