The Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. (PAFCOM) in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General of New York proudly presents noted fashion designer EDGAR SAN DIEGO in a solo fashion and art exhibit entitled, “HIBLA AT PINTA” on May 23 – 25, 2023 at the Philippine Center in New York.
Edgar San Diego will showcase his paintings, artworks and designs using Philippine materials and fabrics.
An established fashion designer of over 40 years, Edgar San Diego started his long romance with painting by incorporating delicate flora onto his beautiful Filipiniana gowns. Hand-painting in fashion became so popular in the 1980s that other designers would come to him to have their creations made even more exquisite with his fine brushstrokes. As with all fashion trends, hand-painting eventually gave way to other forms of embellishment, and with that, San Diego put away his paintbrushes.
However, when the pandemic hit in 2020 and the fashion industry was left at a standstill, he revived his old passion, but instead of flowing fabric, he painted on canvass. Fashion, however, still held a strong influence on his obras, as his pieces depicted a dusky Filipina beauty (inspired by his young daughter Abby) in Filipiniana attire, celebrating the many Filipino traditions like the “pamamanhikan’ (courtship), “kasalan” (wedding) and the various festivals our country is known for.
Last October 2021, San Diego held his first one-man exhibit entitled “Baro’t Saya, Tuwa at Ligaya” at the Mega Fashion Hall of the SM Megamall. In an interview with the local press, the artist-designer stated that his works are personal statements on nationalism.
“My paintings are unchanging in their presentation of Filipiniana themes, evident in the costumes, furniture, settings and scenarios that find their way onto my canvas. These are expressions of my love for country and its history,” he added.
Last April 15, 2023, Edgar San Diego was awarded in the 1st outstanding UST Atelier Allumni Honours for his works in fashion and arts.
PAFCOM is a non-profit organization based in New Jersey and was the recipient of the Presidential Banaag Award in 2021. The organization is committed to Filipina culture preservation and integration to mainstream America.
With this exhibit, Edgar envisions to share his talents and experiences to first, second and third generation Fil-Ams and support the Filipino arts and culture in the US and Philippines.
For further information, check the website: www.pafcomnj.org.
From New York, Edgar San Diego will present the same fashion art exhibit on June 17 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort Tape Ballroom. This is presented by The Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH) in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day.
The PCCCH is a registered non-profit legal entity in Hawaii whose mission is to promote and preserve Philippine Culture, Arts and heritage in America.
Edgar’s fashion collection will feature creative designs of the Terno, Barong Tagalog, Maria Clara, Baro at Saya, Kimona, native Mountain Province woven materials and tinalak from Mindanao.
