Benefit Gala to Showcase Philippine Design, Textiles and Fashion

Renowned Philippine fashion designer, Patis Tesoro, comes to Washington DC to showcase her unique collection of Philippine-inspired designs. Signature pieces from innovative furniture designer, Kenneth Cobonpue, will also be featured in this year’s cultural “Event of the Year” which will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

Tickets are now available for the “Gala Evening Celebrating Philippine Design, Textiles and Fashion,” showcasing the creative works of  renowned fashion designer, Patis Tesoro, the “Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion”. Tesoro is noted for her advocacy in preserving the piña (pineapple fiber) weaving industry in Aklan.

The evening cultural show, which takes place on June 11 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., will open with an exhibit and reception at the Atrium at 7:15 p.m. followed by the fashion show at 8:15 p.m. in the Atrium Hall.

The event will benefit Aklan Piña MANTRA, women in fiber production microenterprise in the Philippine town of Aklan. The industry was affected when Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in November 2013.

Also featured is an exhibit of signature pieces from furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, called the “rattan virtuoso” by TIME magazine. Cobonpue is known as a strong advocate for sustainable design.

Both the works of Tesoro and Cobonpue have earned critical acclaim in the design community in the Philippines, as well as world-wide.

The US-Philippines Society, with the cooperation of the Philippine Embassy, is sponsoring the event. US-Philippines Society Executive Director, Hank Hendrickson, urges everyone to support the event saying that “the benefit gala will aid families and women in particular, rebuild livelihoods in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.”

Seats are limited. Individual tickets at $150 are available online at the US-Philippines Society website, www.usphilippinessociety.org/benefitgala2015.  For group reservations, please call 202-525-3982 or email info@usphilsociety.org.  Sponsorship opportunities for the event are also available