By Adrienne Libang and Nadine Redulla |
Photo by Vinz Lumanas
Breaking free from old-fashioned barriers, today's Filipino fashion scene blurs gender lines - girls can confidently dazzle in fitted Barongs, while boys can slay in Filipinianas.
Amidst the vibrant celebration of the Buwan ng Wika Culmination Event at the Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School (AdDU-SHS), students and teachers proudly wore renditions of cherished Traditional Filipino Attires. These included the iconic Barong Tagalog and the elegant Filipiniana. In this lively atmosphere, one individual stood out like a beacon in the crowd.
With confidence and flair, he donned a daring ensemble—a cropped Barong Tagalog harmoniously paired with a corset that embraced the lower part of his waist. Complementing this bold choice were sleek black pants and eye-catching platform heels. His outfit defied convention, offering a striking departure from the customary Barong Tagalog attire.
Unapologetically, he transformed the event into his personal runway, challenging stereotypes and demonstrating that the runway is for everyone, regardless of gender norms.
In this profound moment, an LGBTQIA+ Equality Advocate ingeniously transformed the Traditional Barong Tagalog. They reshaped it to align with their unique fashion sensibilities, reflecting their authentic gender expression and identity.
These garments became more than mere clothes; they became symbols of a broader movement known as Gender-Inclusive Fashion. Vinz Lumanas, a Grade 12 student of the AdDU-SHS, eloquently conveyed the essence of his transformative fashion: "Gender-inclusive fashion is a cloth that can be worn by anyone regardless of what gender spectrum they are in. This will have a great societal impact, for this serves as an eye opener for everyone that clothes have no gender."
The value of gender-inclusive fashion has far-reaching implications outside the LGBTQIA+ community. It creates a more accessible and welcoming space for all, breaking down traditional gender divides in fashion.
The modern era is progressively breaking down the barriers that have traditionally divided fashion by gender, allowing people to wear what they want and feel comfortable in, regardless of societal expectations.
This form of fashion also catalyzes for enhancing diversity and representation within the fashion industry. As eloquently expressed by Vinz: "Gender-inclusive fashion has the power to shatter the confines of the fashion world. It liberates us from the constraints of labels attached to clothing, revealing that attire knows no gender boundaries—it's accessible to all."
By championing inclusivity in fashion, we create a distinctive opportunity for individuals to proudly showcase their culture and identity on a global stage, regardless of one’s gender or social standing.
Vinz also shared how, in the process of promoting gender-inclusive fashion, he was not exempted from gender stereotypes and struggles. “Growing up, there’s always been labels about everything; that this is only for girls and this is only for boys. As a feminine gay guy growing up, I really questioned myself a lot if I really fit in what society wants me to wear, but I realized that we should not be put in a category on what clothing we should wear because there is no limitation in what we can wear.” he said.
When prompted to provide guidance for consumers endorsing gender-inclusive fashion and fostering inclusivity within fashion brands, Vinz emphasized, “It’s time to stop labeling things, no matter who or what you are, because you shouldn’t be afraid to express yourself. Showing your real self doesn’t hurt anyone, and if you can express it through clothes then why not do it.”
Academic institutions in the Philippines have traditionally enforced gender-specific uniforms, prescribing skirts for females and pants for males from birth.
In response to the critical question of how these institutions can foster gender-inclusive fashion within their student and staff communities, he suggests, “We can promote gender-inclusive fashion among students and staff by allowing them to pick a uniform which they are comfortable with and which they are confident wearing with, by this they can express themselves through their uniforms and by that they can be more confidently comfortable in this institution.”
As society has matured, there has been a prominent shift from rigid gender stereotypes in clothing. In today's evolving society, we are witnessing greater openness and acceptance towards the LGBTQIA+ community. In a world that embraces Cross Dressing and Drag as valid expressions of identity, awareness is growing that fashion and attire should be inclusive for everyone.
It is now perfectly acceptable for girls to confidently wear fitted Barongs, and for boys to exude elegance in Filipinianas. Fashion knows no gender boundaries, and this progress is a testament to our society's growing inclusivity and diversity.
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