Miss Universe Candidates To Wear Narda’s Cordilleran Colors In Baguio City

In less than 24 hours, Baguio City will burst into song with the arrival of the 65th Miss Universe candidates. Each contestant will be adorned by the colors of the Cordilleras with Narda’s handwoven skirts, shawls and ponchos reflective of Cordilleran warmth and culture.

Narda’s Naturally Dyed Woven Masterpieces will be Given as Gifts

According to Lucia Capuyan-Catanes, the general manager for research and design, each candidate will be given a poncho to wear during the parade. For the gala dinner at Baguio Country Club, the international beauty queens will be striking with the shawls and skirts.

The fabric used for these special garments are made of naturally dyed cotton sourced from the locals. They are woven using the Cordilleran Ikat tradition where segments and threads are first tied and dyed before the actual weaving process.

Narda Capuyan’s Woven Cultural Fabrics are High-End

About five years ago, Narda’s broke ground in its global feat. The Cordilleran brand was displayed in the Manhattan market in the New York Fashion Week 2012. This was the first time that the high-end world of fashion got introduced to the world-class artistry of the Cordilleras in terms of design and fabric. Last year, Narda’s sales tripled because of the passion the brand has for the industry. Lucia said that she wants to bring back weaving as an art and skill. She also desires to make weavers proud of their craft.

Narda’s Supports the Philippine Textile Industry

In an article by Sunstar, Lucia Capuyan-Catanes mentioned that in other countries, weavers are so respected and this is the same thing she wants in the Philippines. As she works closely with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts (FIDA), she strives for quality and this is why learning is something she does consistently. She keeps herself updated through local and international seminars and workshops about natural dyes and weaving. Her work is also associated with HABI, a Philippine Textile Council that supports bringing back indigenous fabrics and the planting of cotton to provide weavers material that can be used to make colorful and novel garments.

Lucia Capuyan-Catanes is the daughter of celebrated weaver Narda Capuyan who started the business in 1972 in La Trinidad. She passed away in March 2016 due to lung cancer. Narda first started weaving blankets from recycled acrylic yarns. These blankets attracted a lot of mothers because of its novel use in child care. Soon after, she revived the Ikat tradition, designing and dying threads into vibrant colors for today’s fashion. Narda’s craft and art has been and always will be a legacy to the Cordilleras and to the Philippines.