Inabel, a traditional handwoven fabric, holds a significant place in Ilokano culture and identity.
With its delicate and versatile patterns, the inabel has come a long way in its utilization in garment wear.
As part of Laoag City’s recent celebration of its 59th cityhood anniversary, the City Tourism Office staged an Inabel Fashion Design Competition.
Held for the first time, this event not only highlights the creative prowess of local designers but also pays homage to the art of weaving that has defined the province for generations.
During the competition, 17 talented local designers from various towns in the province joined to showcase their unique pieces.
They designed gowns and dresses with butterfly or terno sleeves while using at least 60 percent inabel fabric.
Their designs took center stage in the fashion show, with their models professionally showcasing the garments.
Jeorge Ronduem Jr., the winner of the competition, paired inabel with delicate lace and maroon fabric, creating an elegant form-fitting gown with gloves, a wide brim hat, and a lace umbrella to tie the look together.
“My creation is an exquisite fusion of French elegance and traditional Ilokano culture. The terno’s skirt is intricately designed with solihiya, a hallmark of Ilocano craftsmanship, seamlessly blending heritage and haute couture,” he said.
Ronduem, who hails from Batac City, started designing with inabel since he was in high school; now he is an established events designer.
He said he will continue to design with inabel and join more fashion competitions as a show of support for the promotion of the iconic fabric.
His fellow designer, Arnel Taylan Esteban, expressed his gratitude to the City Tourism Office for opening this opportunity to showcase their talent in designing inabel gowns.
“Thank you so much to the city government of Laoag who saw our talents, who saw our craftsmanship, and for seeing that the designers locally grown in Ilocos Norte are willing to show how we do our best to showcase the inabel as an amazing cloth,” the Laoageño designer, said.
Moreover, City Tourism Officer Angel Lao assured that they will sustain the activity in the following years to give more opportunities to local designers and inspire young designers to incorporate inabel into their designs.
“We will definitely have it again next year since it will be our diamond jubilee. We want it to be more grand,” she said.
The City Tourism Office continues to promote inabel products in the city’s “Pasalubong Center,” where locally made products like tote bags, pouches, wristlets, coin purses, pillowcases, bucket hats, and other designs are sold at an affordable price.
Seconding the designers’ wishes, Lao hoped that this iconic woven cloth would continue to be cherished for its durability, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors, embodying the spirit of Ilokano heritage.
“We are also trying to work with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to teach inabel weaving to students so they can appreciate and sustain the industry in the city,” Lao added.
With each thread woven into delicate designs of inabel, the soul of the Ilokano finds an expression, reminding us that its beauty lies in honoring our roots to preserve it for future generations to come. (AMB/EJFG/PIA Ilocos Norte)
