Held at the Pintô Art Museum last February 5, esteemed Filipino designers showcased their designs of the cotton and inabel cloth
During the pandemic, the majority turned towards rustic activities to keep themselves busy at home, including farming home-friendly vegetables—they cultivated a lifestyle that made them in touch with agriculture. It was a coping mechanism a lot of people enjoyed over the past three years, and some carried it with them despite normalization.
We can’t deny that a community has been built over the course of the pandemic, where people are more appreciative and adventurous as they unfold what nature has to offer. But before most of us delved into the world of agriculture, there’s one who has been persistent in his goal to revitalize cotton farming since 2016.

Just last February 5, a fashion show entitled Aldogon was held at the Pintô Art Museum, where fresh air and nature welcomed the audience, and thought-provoking art filled the walls of the building—a fitting destination for a purposeful show.

The show started with a heartfelt message from Dr. Joven Cuanang, President and Founder of Pintô Art Museum. In his speech, he was able to express his ease as esteemed Filipino designers presented their interpretation of the ethically sourced and sustainable cotton fibers—all of which were produced locally at the cotton farm in Pinili, Ilocos Norte. To put things into perspective, the now 20-hectare cotton farm has helped over dozens of weavers in the local community.
“Painstakingly, over the last six years, we nurtured it from the seed farm, to fiber, to fashion. Farm-produced cotton has its rightful place in our times—it is part of our cultural heritage. It should be revitalized all over our country.”
Dr. Joven Cuanang
And though several Filipino designers had been getting their hands on the material, the night showcased the works of five Filipino designers: Pepito Albert, BARBA, JC Buendia, Anthony Nocom, and Randy Ortiz.

Each designer had such distinct personalities in their designs as they utilized the cloth. They ranged from dainty casuals, vivid resortwear, to show-stopping ensembles—all of which proved the versatility of both the cotton and the inabel fabric.
We see the fabrics in various creative takes. The first collection designed by BARBA was done in a hip fashion reminiscent of the 80s with their silhouettes and unique mix of the patterns. The hues were mostly black, white, and gray, but pops of color such as pink and muted reds also made appearances.


The second lineup by JC Buendia was quite the opposite of the muted line. Rows of pastel pinks, cream, and floral were finished with such femininity. Each piece showcased a sweet aesthetic that was versatile enough for a day to night look.


As for the third collection, Anthony Nocom changed the night to a refreshing lifestyle as resortwear made its way down. Blue and yellow hues were neutralized with classic colors such as white, beige, and black as silhouettes embraced a more laid back and relaxed look.


Randy Ortiz went for a more contemporary take on traditional clothing, wherein the last line of pieces had a certain dynamic twist to the cloth. Contrasting colors were matched, while others explored the same color in different hues. Draping techniques were subtle yet they made such an impact as the clothes had an elevated detail to them.


To cap off the night, model Joan Bitagcol took the spotlight as she wore a piece designed by Pepito Albert. A billowed out black skirt matched the exaggerated sleeves of the gray bolero while her torso was clean from any fabric. It was made with such simplicity, yet the audience was left in awe—a perfect way to end the Algodon fashion show.

Photography by KIERAN PUNAY