Once dismissed as outdated, the Filipiniana is now center stage — on fashion runways, red carpets, and even in everyday wear, thanks in no small part to designers like Albert Figueras.
For four decades, Albert has been reshaping how Filipinos dress and style themselves — including how they view traditional clothing — by helping transform katutubong habi into elegant fashion.
His journey with local weaves began over a decade ago when he joined the annual “Kasuotang Pilipino” fashion show in Makati. “Every year sa Makati we have this fashion show called ‘Kasuotang Pilipino.’ So it was Tita Ling Ling Cervantes na nag-push sa amin to use local materials — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Every time we have the yearly show, na-a-assign ako sa Mindanao, so pati sa mga national costumes, sa Binibining Pilipinas, lagi ‘yun gusto ko, Mindanao,” he recalls.
That exposure deepened his appreciation of Mindanao’s intricate traditions, particularly the T’nalak of the T’boli, and eventually led him to discover the equally rich materials from Luzon. Albert began integrating inabel and other native fabrics into his designs, challenging the stigma that they were meant only for home furnishings.
Last month, Albert was featured at Fashion Forte XXIV at Crowne Plaza, where he unveiled his “Tango Flamenco” collection. True to its name, the collection featured fiery reds paired with elegant black and gold creations and was introduced with a dramatic flamenco performance. But for Albert, the show wasn’t just about his collection — it was also about supporting younger designers. His advocacy was evident in every detail, from curating the sequence of his red-to-black pieces to mentoring other designers on show pacing and narrative cohesion. He also emphasized the importance of storytelling in fashion shows.
Albert’s design philosophy also embraces the growing fluidity in menswear. He applauds the increasing confidence of men wearing skirts and accessories publicly. “Uso ‘yun ngayon. ‘Yung mga lalaki ngayon — naka-skirt. Pabor ako dun. ‘Yung pang-babae talaga ‘yung skirt, pero may touch sila na nilalagay na add-on na may pagka-masculine.
This openness for embracing global trends and maintaining our identity is not a fleeting trend, he said. “Magtatagal. ‘Yung Filipiniana magtatagal. Kasi accepted ng mga younger generations. Sila na yung magdadala to the future ng ganyang trend.”
After four decades, Albert continues to innovate and inspire. He is now planning a grand gala of red gowns to mark his ruby anniversary, before gradually shifting to a more selective, less demanding pace. But even as he looks forward to a quieter phase, the fire hasn’t dimmed.
