Week 10

Isabelle Perlada
ASA141
6/3/19

In thinking about this week's reading, Asia on my Mind, I began to reflect on what my understanding of Asian American fashion and just what exactly it is. My first thoughts when this class first began was that perhaps Asian American fashion could be defined as a fusion, informed by one's experiences as a part of a diaspora. For example, as a member of many Filipinx American spaces, I often see people dressed using traditional pieces mixed with contemporary pieces. For example, some like to wear an article of clothing known as the malong over an every day ensemble. The malong has significance in the Muslim influenced aspects of Filipinx culture. Another popular outfit I see is the use of a barong or baro't saya/terno, as it is the most common traditional wear we see today as well as the national dress for men and women. These are two examples I see so often in Filipinx American spaces such as organizing spaces, conferences, dinners and other meetings.

But as the class continued, I saw that traditional dress pieces in their typical forms are not the only way for one to connect to their culture/heritage through fashion. I saw that contemporary pieces can show traditional influence while being something completely different than the original, and I came to understand that that could be considered Asian American fashion as well. This is something we saw demonstrated in the Kimono Refashioned exhibit as well. Here is one example of an independent designer whose modern clothing pieces are influenced by traditional Filipino clothing.
https://www.vintato.com/