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Ethnic

in OOTD

Fashion + Style: Being Ethnically Chic with Frankitas

Frankitas, Bags, Clutches, Jewelry, Ikat, Batik, Songket, Traditional Cloth, Weaving, Modernized, Fashion, Ethnic, Modern Ethnic, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Fashion Statement, Key Pieces, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Asia, Fabric, Woven,

“This is so you, Carol”, my friend Miriam said as we entered the Frankitas gallery in Damansara Heights. And I do think she is right.

I don’t really remember when my love for tribal (actual tribal patterns – not the ones you score in F21) and traditional cloth started. But it has turned into a bit of an obsession. Frankitas, Bags, Clutches, Jewelry, Ikat, Batik, Songket, Traditional Cloth, Weaving, Modernized, Fashion, Ethnic, Modern Ethnic, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Fashion Statement, Key Pieces, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Asia, Fabric, Woven,I remember my first piece (that I bought) being a T’nalak skirt from the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato, Philippines. The T’nalak is literally made out of dreams as the weavers have to dream of the patterns they use before turning them into a woven masterpiece.

Frankitas, Bags, Clutches, Jewelry, Ikat, Batik, Songket, Traditional Cloth, Weaving, Modernized, Fashion, Ethnic, Modern Ethnic, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Fashion Statement, Key Pieces, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Asia, Fabric, Woven,

Stories like these make traditional fabric much more meaningful – that’s why I fall in love with them over and over. And you know what? I’m extremely happy that I am not alone in this love affair.

I met Francisca “Franki” Turner-Shaik at the media launch for her brand Frankitas. She uses traditional, woven fabric from all over the world, turning them to pieces that are fit for the modern-day woman. She is creative and has so much passion for the art of weaving and helping out the weavers. I loved her right away! 😉

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in Expat Life, Manila

Authentic Filipino Crafts, Souvenirs, and Fashion at The Manila Collectible Co.

The Manila Collectible Co., TMCC, Philippines, Filipino, Souvenirs, Art, Craft, Clothes, Tribal, T’nalak, Abel Iloco, Traditional Filipino Clothes, Manila, Ifugao, Filipino Tribes, Collectibles

My husband and I are crazy about “Filipinizing” our home. While at post, diplomats are expected to entertain – to have guests of different nationalities (other diplomats, businessmen, etc.) over for socialising – which usually means talking shop over food and drinks. 😉 Those opportunities are a great way to showcase our culture and what we have back home.

The Manila Collectible Co., TMCC, Philippines, Filipino, Souvenirs, Art, Craft, Clothes, Tribal, T’nalak, Abel Iloco, Traditional Filipino Clothes, Manila, Ifugao, Filipino Tribes, Collectibles

So during my last trip to Manila, I bought some traditional Filipino accessories and clothes that I can wear to different events. It is often hard to convince people at diplomatic events that I’m actually Filipino because of how I look. My husband’s looks don’t really help either as people often think he’s Chinese/Japanese/Korean.

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