Filipino American fashion
[2] Aside from partaking in fashion, the Philippines also produces clothing that is made for mass consumption overseas, in places such as the U.S., Europe, and Canada.
The inspiration for the terno came about due to American evening gowns more utilitarian, with diminished skirts and sleeves.
It allowed specifically for women to dress in non-traditional Filipino clothing and in athletic wear that was fashionable in the United States.
[1] Filipina women had the dilemma of adopting the new American style of clothing while keeping old, traditional Filipino garments intact and in fashion.
[1] Filipino students looked to dispel the stereotypes of the Igorot tribe by dressing in American style clothing.
[4] Laborers and farmers who migrated from the Philippines were known as the "Manong" Generation, an Ilocano term referring to an elderly person.
[4] Filipino migrant workers began coming to the U.S. around the start of the 20th century; they were mostly men who worked in either California or Alaska.
[4] Filipinos were unable to rent or own homes in cities such as Los Angeles, so they spent their money on other things such as clothing.
[4] Despite earning meager wages, Filipino laborers bought nice clothing as a means to appear nicer than their pay would suggest.
[5] Zoot suits had a distinct appearance; they had loud and vivid colors, lengthy jackets, and sat slightly above the waist while tapering off down the leg of the respective pant.
Filipino men dressed in zoot suits sought to challenge their socioeconomic status in the United States.
[5] Los Angeles public officials and social agencies look to combat the growing number of Mexican, Filipino, and African-American youths by instituting restrictive policies such as curfews and civic group activities.
[7] The hybrid of both jefrox and cholo styles resulted in brushed hair, the use of nets and bandanas, open toed sandals, and loose fitting shirts.
[7] Some Satana members preferred wearing khakis with significant creases as an homage to the Manong generation of the 1920s and 1930s.
[7] Satana gang members wore loose fitting, baggy pants that were fully black in conjunction with white T-shirts and pendletons.
The Satana homeboys of the mid-Wilshire and Temple areas of Los Angeles were Filipinos from all economic backgrounds, from lower class to upper-class families.
[7] Members from a wealthier background were easily identifiable, as they wore luxury clothes reminiscent of the “Manong” generation.
[7] Overall, men and women sought to wear brand name clothing such as Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica, who had significant presence in the hip-hop fashion community in the nineties.
Notable ones include Monique Lhuillier and Josie Natori whose high end clothing and garments are similar to those showcased in fashion shows and events such as CFPW.
Rene Ofreneo states the presence of the Philippines in manufacturing clothing and garments has waned in recent years.
[9] Ofreneo notes in the 1990s, the production of clothing led to the fashion industry employing the largest number of Filipino employees, while also being the second biggest export of the country.
[3] He later signifies in 1995, eighty percent of the garments produced by the Philippines ended up being sold to either the U.S., Europe (specifically the European Union) and Canada.
[3] The growth of the clothing manufacturing industry in the Philippines was aided by the Multi Fibre Arrangement, otherwise known as MFA, enacted in 1975 and ending in 2004.
