Shibuya’s Hikarie Hall B in Japan bore witness to the showcase of the Binakol with an in-house fashion label .ARCHIVES ushering its weave across borders.
Debuting their exclusive collection during the bi-annual Rakuten Fashion Week last September 1, 2023, .ARCHIVES looked to the artistry of five of the nation’s leading designers through the convergence of Japanese quality fabrics, the cultural Binakol of Northern Luzon, Inabel fabric of Ilocos, and Piña (Pineapple). Brand visionary Ellis Co and Creative Director Aya Reika Mayani captured its future-oriented concept through indigenous textiles and patterns.
“We wanted the focal point to be the integration of indigenous fabric in .ARCHIVES silhouettes. With Binakol as our main fabric of choice, we felt that the fabric's twisting, optical illusion-like patterns would be an interesting element in our pieces,” said creative director Aya Reika Mayani.
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“The process of building the collection was definitely a creative journey that involved not only taking inspiration from our Filipino roots but also looking into how we can continuously innovate and forward our art as designers into each concept,” mentioned founder and designer Ellis Co.
Peering into their futuristic persona, .ARCHIVES’ second consecutive Rakuten Fashion Week appearance embraces their imaginative Japanese-inspired and brutalist architectural roots. Reflected through nine looks across four Filipino designers, the cross-cultural gathering perfectly situates as a platform for their continuous rise, weaving external influences through an innovative front that amplifies its proudly Filipino identity.
