DRESSED IN MEMORY

In an industry where trends often dictate the narrative, JAGGY GLARINO takes control. 

- DANIELLE RAMOS

JAGGY GLARINO'S GARMENTS, WOVEN WITH PERSONAL STORIES, ENCOURAGES WEARERS TO RECONSIDER WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FILIPINO, to be masculine, and to be true to oneself. "I grew up with such a masculine background," the designer reflects on his upbringing in General Santos, a city in southern Mindanao, etched into the Filipino consciousness for its boxing heritage. "My dad is actually a boxer. It was an interesting contrast between my mom taking me to the local parlor and my dad taking me to boxing training." This duality profoundly influences Glarino's designs. Through his garments, he questions traditional notions of masculinity, offering a glimpse into the complexities of his personal identity and expression.

They beg you to consider whether the dichotomy between menswear and womenswear should persist at all.

"Femininity and masculinity are more of a societal box that you need to fit in," he shares. "And to me, that doesn't truly exist right now." Glarino artfully layers skirts over pants, experiments with color and length, and adds inventive twists to traditional silhouettes, rethinking the boundaries of gendered fashion. He posits a softer side to men's fashion.

In testing the traditional ideas of men's fashion, Glarino demonstrates not only creativity but also technical mastery. His solihiya designs, inspired by his childhood home, show this expertise well. Reminiscent of the intricate backrests of rocking chairs, decorative screens, and ornate sideboards found in many Filipino houses, Solihiya involves weaving thin strands of rattan into sunburst patterns. In his atelier, Glarino and his team adapt this traditional craft onto clothing. The pattern finds itself on the front of his barongs, while also being utilized to craft large maze-like vests. It's an ingenious way to reimagine a traditional weave.