YES YAKAN!

Because of the overdrawn skirmishes between the military and the ragtag band of rebels in Lamitan, the town’s foremost expression of artistry has been sadly overlooked.

Piña asymmetrical robe cinched by a white and ash gray Yakan cummerband. This is worn over bitter chocolate trousers also in Yakan.

The Yakan women, long-recognized as the most prolific and imaginative weavers in Mindanao, have been producing fabrics rich in zoomorphic symbols. Called “dream weavers” these women are said to sit in front of the loom only after communicating with their deities through dreams. Guided by these spiritual beings, they weave to interpret the messages from the divine world.

Slim fit jacket with matching retro pants both in blue and white Yakan fabric.

Blue hooded bomber jacket with cut out detail on top in pink. This is paired with flat front black pants, all in Yakan.

Cream and caramel double-breasted jacket with outstitching detail over off-white rolled-up trousers.

Inspired by the magnificence of the Yakan cloth, designer Nono Palmos sought ways to bring this ancient art into contemporary fashion use by introducing new fiber blends and colors—making the classic Yakan fabric more comfortable, easier to cut and sew, and able to move gracefully.

Irish linen collarless bomber jacket paired with terracotta Yakan pants with gray reverse side.

White tuxedo jacket and formal pants

Recently, the inventive designer came out with a line of modern and extremely wearable line of formal, club and casual wear for men using the Yakan fabric. The result is a remarkable melding of Filipino artistry and Western design inspiration, of ancient weaving traditions and audacious fashion forms, of the time-honored and the refreshingly novel.

Tobacco brown and fatigue hooded jacket with slim pants

Text and photos by Vix Sev

Grooming by Ed Mamangon

Styling by Millet Arzaga

On actor and model Marvin Kiefer