Monday, March 15, 2010

Manila to promote Pineapple Fibre Cloth in Eu Market

The Philippine government will promote handmade pineapple cloth in the European Union’s couture market President Gloria Arroyo said. At a meeting with science ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Asean she showcased a coat and dress made of rosecoloured pineapple cloth. Describing her outfit Arroyo said “Young coconut husk was used to dye what I’m wearing. An indigenous product like coconut can make its mark in this modern day and age.” She referred to Europe’s preference for things natural.
Arroyo also lauded the Philippine Textile Research Institute which has developed 50 natural dyes sourced from coconut husk indigo mahogany tamarind red achuete and yellow ginger. Twenty years ago couturier Patis Tesoro now known as the mother of pineapple cloth was alarmed at the skyrocketing price of the vanishing fabric which was the “national treasure” of Aklan in central Philippines.
Tesoro and her friends funded the planting of the longleafed variety of pineapple in several communities in Aklan. Households were given handlooms to inspire older people to teach the art of weaving pineapple cloth. Soon residents went back to planting of the pineapple variety which has no fruit. They began threshing pineapple leaves into pulp to create soft pineapple threads. The women started weaving them into fabric that found its way into the designers’ studios.
“The price of pineapple went down and pineapple cloth even when intricately embroidered became affordable to almost all Filipinos” said Tesoro. Now the Philippine government should push the expensive beautiful and hand woven pineapple cloth in the European market where “anything green and natural” is considered beautiful said Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro.
Selling “green dresses” for the high end market abroad could generate jobs in Aklan and for the embroiders in Laguna southern Luzon because a highend market is willing to pay for these products said Alabastro. “In Europe the people are very environment conscious and they want green products even if the price is a bit higher” Alabastro said. Philippine fashion houses area also established in Aklan.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Selling “green dresses” for the high end market abroad could generate jobs in Aklan and for the embroiders in Laguna southern Luzon because a highend market is willing to pay for these products said Alabastro. “In Europe the people are very environment conscious and they want green products even if the price is a bit higher” Alabastro said. Philippine fashion houses area also established in Aklan.

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