23 February 2012 - The Philippine Consulate General reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that renowned Filipino designer, "wrap artist", and sustainable fashion champion Dita Sandico-Ong once again wowed New York audiences with a new collection entitled "Czarist Charms: Filipiniana Flirts with Unorthodox Flair".
The collection of wraps, dresses, skirts, and bags made of indigenous Philippine fibers was presented to an audience of over 160 people at the Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall last February 18. The show took place towards the end of the annual New York Fashion Accessories Week.The show presented by the Consulate General had members of the diplomatic and consular corps, businesspeople, members of the arts, culture and design sectors, media and guests form the Filipino-American Community as part of the audience who viewed the one of a kind designs of Ms. Sandico-Ong.
"Dita Sandico-Ong has done it again. With each show in New York and in other world cities, she continues to produce designs which are fresh, ground-breaking, and environmentally sustainable," Consul General Mario de Leon stated.
DSO's latest collection draws inspiration from the colors, shapes, and design of the Czarist era in Russia. This silhouette is married with DSO's distinctive wrap style, Philippine natural fibers from the Province of Catanduanes, and vibrant colors from natural dyes to produce a seamless artistic vision.
Aside from showcasing her signature wraps, Ms. Sandico-Ong also included samples of her own bag creations made of Philippine textiles such as Abel Iloko and fibers like abaca.
Ms. Sandico-Ong is a graduate of the University of the Philippines and the Tobe-Coburn School of New York where she studied fashion merchandising.
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Libran Cabactulan commented that DSO is truly doing a great service to the natural fiber industry of the Philippines, while members of New York Ladies' Clubs who saw the show marveled at the ingenuity of DSO's design sensibility.
The audience was likewise entertained by a dance number from Bolshoi Ballet School-trained ballerina Natalia Sheptalova, who wore a DSO special abaca creation for her performance. Ms. Sheptalova is one of the talents of the M2BNY Performing Arts Company.
The fashion show was directed by Aristeo Tengco, President and Founder of Emmanuel New York Models. END