- Dec 4, 2022

SLIM and the Filipiñana Identity:Reasons to visit Slim Higgins’ Exhibition

Written By: Fitzgerald Belen Edited by: Ava Alcala

Mark Higgins—Salvacion Lim Higgins' son, curated a collection of never-before-seen archival pieces depicting his mother's interpretations of the Filipiñana. As he told Vogue Philippines, the exhibit is a way to show young and future designers what that range meant. Placed in the newly renovated Metropolitan Theater in Manila, it is just a perfect amalgamation of two identifiers of Filipino culture and beauty.

Photo by: Fitzgerald Belen of SSBLN Studios

Fashion has been one way in creating a dialogue to convey one’s identity—Salvacion Lim Higgins popularly known as SLIM; succored to define what a 20th century Filipino woman—with how she dress through her fresh take on the classic Terno and Traje de Mestiza leaving a great imprint in Philippine fashion. As the haute couture designer was bestowed as National Artist for Fashion Design—next to Ramon Velara—by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts last June 10th 2022, here are several reasons why you should visit Slim Higgin’s Imagining/Imaging Exhibition.

Salvacion Lim Higgins’ Perspective on a Filipiñana

Fashioning a new age of design for the 20th century Filipina woman in the post-war era—Salvacion Lim Higgins created such pieces which embodies modernity and empowerment. Unlike the haute couture in that time, where it is cultivated as something restricted of movement, a Slim design has been meticulously crafted with a woman’s comfort in mind.

Photos by: Fitzgerald Belen of SSBLN Studios

Exquisite Craftsmanship

Undeniably created in a meticulous process. From the intricacy of the hems and seams on the entire bodice, Slim illustrated her perspective through her keen eye on details that completes the ever changing and evolving image of a Filipino woman. Silhouettes that have never been done in a Terno during its time—designs created like it's been thought out in the 21st century. Salvacion Higgins is truly ahead of her time. The dress that she made—the iconic geometric Terno, appears to protrude in the air, was made with only one seam. Slim's designs continue to be as modern and stylish as they were when she created them over 50 years ago. Her works are the only ones by a Filipino to have been displayed at the prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

A reproduction of cocktail terno, originally created in the 1980s. Photo by: Fitzgerald Belen of SSBLN Studios

Photos by: Fitzgerald Belen of SSBLN Studios

Personally Interwoven

Mark Higgins, the son of Salvacion, curated the whole exhibition in order to show what the designs of her mother meant. You’ll be stunned that the designs you’ll be seeing, part of the exhibition, are created in the years spanning from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Photos by: Fitzgerald Belen of SSBLN Studios

The Filipiñana Identity

The Filipiñana has been a key identifier of our Filipino identity. As the direct quote from Mark Higgins in his interview for Vogue Philippines, “He explains that the word Filipiniana is often misused to represent only two variations of the national costume; the Terno and the Traje de Mestiza. But the term should encompass all facets of our multicultural identity. Salvacion, always ahead of her time, did just that.” The Filipiñana, aside from embodying the Filipino woman, is a statement of versatility itself as part of our Filipino identity. It is without a doubt, a timeless and all encompassing symbol to which Slim Higgins did not fail to incorporate in her masterpieces. Awestrucked, when stepping into the room filled with her works, you will feel deeply enamored by the development of the Filipiñana throughout the decades.

Photos by: Fitzgerald Belen of SSBLN Studios

Pacesetter to Endless Design Possibilities

Michael Cinco, Albert Andrada, Oliver Tolentino and Joey Samson to name a few are alumni of the school established by the Lim sisters in the 1960s. As the Slim’s Fashion and Arts School continues to hone future designers of the Philippines, the exhibition will let us take a peek at designs which has set the pace for up and coming designers and on how beautiful our fashion history is.