PHL Consulate Opens Sustainable Fashion Exhibit of HK-Based OFW
Philippine Consul General Antonio A. Morales (right), standing with Ms. Elpie A. Malicsi (2nd from left), Vice Consul Fajar Kurniawan of the Indonesian Consulate General (1st from left), leads the ribbon-cutting during the “Sustainable Sunday Couture” launch at the Philippine Consulate General’s Gallery on 4 March 2018. Also in photo is Dr. Julie Ham, the University of Hong Kong Assistant Professor and exhibit project leader (2nd row).
09 March 2018 HONG KONG — In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Philippine Consulate General opened on 04 March 2018 the exhibit titled “Sustainable Sunday Couture: Domestic Workers Upcycling Fashion” at its gallery. The exhibit, which will run until 14 March 2018, is organized in partnership with the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
The exhibit showcases costumes made of everyday upcycled materials such as discarded garbage bags, coffee sachets and soda can tabs, designed and created by Ms. Elpidia “Elpie” A. Malicsi, a Filipino household service worker (HSW) based in Hong Kong.
Ms. Malicsi's works show the need for a more inclusive dialogue about sustainability – a dialogue that recognizes the connections between sustainability and labor rights, decent work and HSWs' creative contributions to Hong Kong culture.
Consul General Antonio A. Morales, together with Ms. Malicsi and Vice Consul Fajar Kurniawan of the Indonesian Consulate General, led the exhibit’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Filipino workers should hone their talents and skills while employed here in Hong Kong so that upon their return to the Philippines, they can use these to achieve their financial and personal goals and aspirations for themselves and their families back home,” Consul General Morales said in his remarks.
Also present were Dr. Michael Manio, Filipino HKU Professor and President/Founder of the Domestic Workers Empowerment Project (DWEP); Dr. Julie Ham, HKU Assistant Professor and exhibit project leader; Dr. Doris Lee, Co-Founder of Open Door, a local NGO whose aim is to improve the overall working and living situation of HSWs in Hong Kong; and HKU students who will be serving as docents during the exhibit.
Mobile catwalks showcasing Ms. Malicsi’s creations were also held on 25 February in various areas in Hong Kong including Chater Road and Causeway Bay to promote the exhibition. The exhibition is funded by the HKU Knowledge Exchange Office.
More than one hundred guests from different Filipino community organizations, academia, local community and media representatives, attended the 04 March launch.
The exhibit is being held under the auspices of Post’s Gender and Development Program. END
For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/
Costumes were designed and created by Ms. Elpie Malicsi using discarded garbage bags, coffee sachets, soda can tabs, and other unconventional materials were featured in the exhibit titled “Sustainable Sunday Couture: Domestic Workers Upcycling Fashion,” which runs on 4-14 March 2018 at the gallery of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong in celebration of National Women’s Month.
Ms. Elpie Malicsi poses with one of her special upcycled gowns, a full-length, strapless dress made of coffee packets, which are featured at the exhibit titled “Sustainable Sunday Couture: Domestic Workers Upcycling Fashion,” which runs on 4-14 March 2018 at the gallery of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong in celebration of National Women’s Month.
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