History Filipino American fashion

1 history

1.1 american colonial period
1.2 “manong” generation

1.2.1 zoot suits


1.3 recent developments

history
american colonial period

the pensionandos group of students sent u.s. purpose of gaining education american university, hopes these students can go home contribute filipino society. starting in 1901, pensionado program allowed filipino students gain education american university; unlike “manong” generation, there significant amount of filipina women in program. philippines under u.s. colonial rule during time pensionado program first put place. american teachers in philippines encouraged filipino students home adopt american styles of fashion , clothing , leave behind traditional filipino garments. in 1920’s, camisa (blouse) , saya (skirt) used in conjunction form known terno. terno alternatively referred maria clara gown. inspiration terno came due american evening gowns more utilitarian, diminished skirts , sleeves. terno commonly worn among filipina students replacement camisa. perception traditional filipino clothing such camisa cumbersome , inconvenient daily use. because of this, american clothing became standard everyday wear in filipino society. physical education class in filipino curriculum pivotal change. allowed women dress in non-traditional filipino clothing , in athletic wear fashionable in united states.

many filipina women struggled wearing both american , filipino clothing. filipina women, common belief among filipino society gatekeepers of filipino culture. filipina women had dilemma of adopting new american style of clothing while keeping old, traditional filipino garments in tact , in fashion. filipinos did not wear american clothes looked down upon not being able become accustomed american culture. however, filipinos did not wear american clothing believed not “filipino” enough.

in u.s., 1904 world’s fair (also known louisiana purchase exposition) had exhibit of filipinos dressed igorot tribe. led mistaken portrayal of filipinos solely representative of igorot people. filpino students looked dispel stereotypes of igorot tribe dressing in american style clothing. throughout course of week, filipina women allowed either dress in american clothes or filipino clothes. filipina students alternated between 2 styles of dress. purposes of work , study, filipina students decided wear american clothing. on other occasions such special events, filipina students opted traditional filipino clothing. garments such terno worn such special events. wearing of terno interpreted patriotic thing do, showing pride in filipino culture. male pensionados, styles of clothing differed “manong” generation. instead of wearing suits, male filipino students opted wear hats instead of suits , ties. main reason occurrence because male filipino students wanted differ negative stereotypes surrounding individuals belonging manong generation. male filipino students, more money spent on clothing , material possessions education , food.

the “manong” generation

the influx of filipinos united states in large part due social programs such pensionando program , necessity labor in areas such california , alaska. laborers , farmers migrated philippines known manong generation, ilocano term referring elderly person. filipino migrant workers began coming u.s. around start of 20th century; men worked in either california or alaska. had worked in sugar planations of hawaii well, occurred before hawaii became state. these men referred “manong” generation, ilocano term designated elderly people. many filipino laborers , workers during time period, there emphasis on dressing well. happened multiple reasons. first, filipino laborers looked disassociate lower class citizens. reason included desire emulate hollywood actors during 1920’s , 1930’s. filipinos unable rent or own homes in cities such los angeles, spent money on other things such clothing. in living spaces, filipinos confined upwards of fifteen twenty tenants in single room save money. allowed filipinos spend money on clothing instead of rent , other possessions instead. also, filipinos portrayed weak, submissive, unassertive, , eager please; dressing perceived counter stereotypes. despite earning meager wages, filipino laborers bought nice clothing means appear nicer pay suggest. lastly, reason desire dress impress relatives in philippines. filipino laborers sent pictures of in suits in order give them impression quite successful in america.

zoot suits

the suits worn filipinos known “zoot suits”, prominent in cities such los angeles , stockton. zoot suits worn mexican-americans , african-americans, filipino-americans wore them. because filipinos lived in same neighborhoods mexican-americans, likelihood filipinos adopted specific style of dress mexican-americans high. zoot suits had distinct appearance; had loud , vivid colors, lengthy jackets, , sat above waist while tapering off down leg of respective pant. became known “mcintosh suit” regional term in southern california suit one’s personal best. popular macintosh suits featured gray colors blue pinstripes constructed of gabardine material , wool material winter suits.

wearers of zoot suits had different reasons wearing them. filipino men dressed in zoot suits sought challenge socioeconomic status in united states. instead of proving stereotypes true, filipino men wanted appeal masculinity portrayed hollywood stars in 1920’s , 1930’s. having multiple girlfriends , mistresses common , encouraged among these men. mentioned earlier, filipinos sent photographs of donning suits give impression families home successful. these photographs encouraged other filipino men come united states in order fulfill “american dream”. filipinos wore suits numerous occasions, such going out pool rooms, gambling houses, dance clubs, , night clubs intention of attracting women of other races , ethnicities such mexican-american women , caucasian women. caused physical confrontations among caucasian men. donned zoot suit seen devious. los angeles public officials , social agencies combat growing number of mexican, filipino, , african-american youths instituting restrictive policies such curfews , civic group activities.

members of filipino associations such filipino federation of america (known shorthand ffa) wore mcintosh suits , zoot suits. whether plantation worker or ffa member, filipino men donned suits. ffa’s reasoning wearing suits portray filipinos model citizens, along perceived moral values, in contrast perception of mexican-americans , african-americans @ time. insistence of dressing among filipino men changed perceptions in media, filipino men believed dressed. filipino men displayed in national advertisements because of belief. there believed 2 types of well-dressed filipinos; former being consistently went gambling joints , dance clubs , latter being individuals remained abstinent , stayed out of trouble. fashion “manong” generation means dispel stereotypes , create new identities in america. main goal gain acceptance in american society, among caucasians.

recent developments

in los angeles, clothing important marker filipino street gangs , gang members. after 1965, los angeles became 1 of largest cities of filipino immigrants saw massive migration of filipino youth. combat mexican gang members, filipino gangs arose. satana gang fused styles of philippines of other fashions, particularly cholo fashion among latino neighborhoods of los angeles. satana members used cholo style of dress inspiration, jefrox style popularized in manila. jefrox style typically associated counterculture elements such long hair , rock , roll music. hybrid of both jefrox , cholo styles resulted in brushed hair, use of nets , bandanas, open toed sandals, , loose fitting shirts. satana members preferred wearing khakis significant creases homage manong generation of 1920’s , 1930’s. these khakis deliberately worn showcase unity younger generations had filipino laborers of 1930’s came california. eighties , nineties, filipino gang members adopted cholo style of latino youth. satana gang members wore loose fitting, baggy pants black in conjunction white t-shirts , pendletons. styles of dress varied, however, among gangs. satana homeboys of mid-wilshire , temple areas of los angeles filipinos economic backgrounds, lower class upper class families. members wealthier background identifiable, wore luxury clothes reminiscent of “manong” generation. overall, men , women sought wear brand name clothing such tommy hilfiger , nautica, had significant presence in hip-hop fashion community in nineties. filipino men chose wore ill-fitting clothes while filipina women chose wear more revealing clothing. items such clothing played role in how filipino youth identified themselves, in inner city areas.

fashion shows central filipino culture take place in many global cities such paris, toronto, manila, new york city, , milan. example of such canada philippine week in toronto. canada fashion philippine week, otherwise known cfpw, connected many other cultural celebrations in toronto. attracts fashion consumers of social classes, whether lower, middle, or upper class. cpfw cultural event, featuring tons of filipino , non-filipino food , multicultural exchanges. there large presence of filipino fashion designers in fashion industry. notable ones include monique lhuillier , josie natori high end clothing , garments similar showcased in fashion shows , events such cfpw. cfpw in similar vein philippine fashion week, hosted in manila.