At New York Fashion Week for FILIPINXT, Jasmine Baac sent centuries of tradition, resilience, and artistry of the Kalinga people to the runway
Centuries of tradition, once woven into the mountains of Lubuagan, now unfolded under the lights of New York Fashion Week. The collection, Bagoyan Rising, carried the spirit of the Kalinga people beyond their homeland, a testament to endurance and evolution. For designer Jasmine Baac, Bagoyan’s collection was a tribute and declaration—an assertion that Kalinga weaving belongs not just to the past of the Philippines but to the rest of the world for the future.
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The Fabric of a Movement
“Bagoyan Rising is a celebration of resilience, heritage, and evolution,” Baac says. “Rooted in the artistry of Kalinga weaves, it tells a story of transformation, how our cultural tradition woven into the mountains of Lubuagan, Kalinga, has ascended to the global runway, that is in New York Fashion Week.”
Each look balanced heritage with reinvention. “What really resonated with me in Bagoyan Rising is the beautiful blend of tradition and progress,” Baac says. “Cultural heritage isn’t static; it’s alive and can evolve, grow, and adapt without losing its essence.”
The collection’s palette honored Kalinga tradition with deep blacks, stark whites, and bold red and black—colors woven with stories of identity and strength. But alongside them, unexpected tones emerged: orange, soft pink, and airy light green. “This shows a shift from the traditional to modern,” Baac explains. “That we can evolve and improve our colors without losing the patterns and the essence of it.” The weaves remained unmistakably Kalinga, yet the palette embraced growth, adaptation, and a broader spectrum of expression.
A Stitch in Time
Baac let Kalinga weaving take the lead, but a touch of sheer stepped in like an unexpected but welcome dance partner. “I used sheer and weave and it blended well,” she notes.
“I am always careful and very conservative when it comes to combining other fabrics with our weaves, but this time I love the weave and sheer. It looks chic and polished and still classy. I wanted to bring out the beauty of the weaves with just very minimal combination of other materials.”
A Standing Ovation, and a Personal Reckoning
Baac had spent years working with Kalinga weavers, but nothing could have prepared her for the reaction in New York. “Actually, I was emotional,” she admits. “I did not expect the audience’s very good feedback and admiration of the weaves. What touched me most is the way it honors the strength and beauty of the Kalinga people, weaving together stories of struggle, transformation, and victory.”
For Baac, these garments carried far more than aesthetic value. “The collection isn’t just about clothes for me, it’s a tribute to the rich history of the Kalinga people and how our traditions have been carried forward, evolving into a powerful global statement,” she says. “It’s inspiring to see how something as ancient as weaving can ascend to such modern heights, highlighting the value of preserving culture while embracing change and innovation. This was my objective from the start.”
Looming Legacy
Baac envisions a stage where more Filipino designers stand in the spotlight, their craft acknowledged, their voices amplified. The impact is already unfolding—conversations ignited, cultural pride reaffirmed, and fashion reaffirmed as more than spectacle but storytelling, a medium where heritage finds new life.
“It feels like a profound moment of pride and validation, seeing Filipino culture and artistry finally given the global stage it deserves. I feel so proud of being Filipino.”
Beyond industry buzz and runway moments, the designer has a clear vision for what comes next. “This moment could inspire more Filipino creators to embrace their roots and pave the way for future generations to shine globally,” she says. “We need to make use of what we have in our provinces and bring it to the world.”
Bagoyan Rising has done just that. The patterns once passed down through generations in quiet, meticulous tradition now command attention on an international stage, woven with the same purpose, same pride, and a future as strong as the hands that first brought them to life.
Photographed by DOMINIC SENADOR
