By Adrian Portugal
CAINTA, Philippines, March 15 - Lenora Buenviaje has been making dresses out of waste materials for the past seven years and says wearing clothes made from such items as recycled newspapers, plastic wrapping and rice sacks can be both economical and fashionable. Using a foot-operated sewing machine, the 51-year-old Philippine seamstress stitches and weaves plastics and other materials into inventive and fashionable frocks and gowns, sometimes completed by headdresses.
In Asia, there is plenty of waste material for Buenviaje to work with: About 80% of global ocean plastic is estimated to come from Asian rivers, and the Philippines alone contributes a third of that, according to a 2021 report by Oxford University's online publication, Our World in Data."It's important to recycle or utilize used materials so we can help our earth," said Buenviaje client Lalaine Alcalde.
Her gowns are sometimes used in beauty contests and pageants, she also said. "I get delighted whenever they win, the designs are simple but they still win." Buenviaje hopes in-person fashion shows and competitions that were halted during the pandemic will soon resume. She also aims to organise fashion events herself to showcase and inspire others to create clothing out of recycled materials.Reporting by Adrian Portugal; Editing by Ed Davies and Tom Hogue
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fashion brands, designers take a stand against Russia's invasion of UkraineSome of the biggest tastemakers in fashion are making bold statements from their words to changes in their business operations to condemn Russia's war on Ukraine.
Read more »
Natasha Zinko Turns Her Studio Into a Fundraising Hub For UkrainiansThe Ukrainian-born designer and official Odessa Red Cross Representative natashazinko is switching gears from fashion design to humanitarian aid. For a few ways to help Ukraine, click below.
Read more »
The Forbes 30/50 AFI Fashion ShowcaseOn March 7, during the inaugural Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe's African Fashion International partnered with Forbes on a fashion showcase featuring seven of AFI’s best designers.
Read more »
Fashion Designer Maryam Nassir Zadeh Is Raising Two Kids in This All-White LoftSee inside boutique owner Maryam Nassir Zadeh's all-white loft. DHWendyGoodman reports
Read more »
Dockers Taps Maurizio Donadi for Collaboration and Vintage OfferingMaurizio Donadi has been tapped to create a special capsule for Dockers through his latest business, Transnomadica, a resource for workwear, military, denim and fashion collectors based on his 15,000-plus piece vintage archive.
Read more »
Maximilian Davis Named New Creative Director at Salvatore FerragamoThe designer will put his own line on hold to take the job.
Read more »