Reyna De Los Virgenes
Designer: Dee Jay Abustan
Flores de Mayo, which translates “Flowers of May” in Spanish, is said to have been introduced by the Spaniards in the mid-1800s. It is celebrated every day in the entire month of May as a tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, for the beneficial rain she brings that makes flowers bloom after the dry season.
Aside from its religious significance, what attracts the majority are the ladies dressed in the traditional Filipino dresses. Flores de Mayo is like the MET Gala of many towns in the country, donning their best traditional dresses, and it is a great opportunity for many designers and artisans to show their craft.
Recently, we stumbled upon these talented local designers from Lucban, Quezon Province showcasing their Barbie doll for this year's Flores de Mayo, dressed in bespoke and couture dresses, combining with the utmost artistry, culture, and tradition of Flores de Mayo in the Philippines.
Using the most materials that are locally sourced in the region, these designers are proudly shared their skills in beadworks and intricate designs. Designers use sustainable materials such as dried leaves, rafia cloth, abaca fibers, wooden beads, jute sack, along with other materials such as Swarovski stones, glass beads, upcycled fabrics, and more.
We reckon that these Barbie doll dresses with put Beyonce on the side, coz these deserve to be on the next MET Gala.
Images: Vonic Veluz
Reyna Banderada
Designer: Mark Anthony Suarez Salva
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Reyna Esperanza
Designer : Cesar V. Ladines Jr.
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Reyna Caridad
Design by: Jaime A. Nanong
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Reyna Abogada
Designer: Bernadette Joy Reyes
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Reyna Sentenciada
Designer: Ian Mancenido
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Reyna Justicia
Designer : Maaki Eveza & Gen Eveza
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Reyna Judith
Designer: Anfernee Villamater
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Reyna Sheba
Designer: Gerome Cosejo
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Reyna Samaritana
Designer: Ellen Rada
Reyna Esther
Designer: Kirt Edwin Ver Pultam
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Reyna Veronica
Designer: Harrie Racoma
Divina Pastora
Designer: Lee Mart Gaytano
Reyna De Las Flores
Designer Ramon Chino O. Villaverde
Reyna Elena
Designer: Harvey Villaverde
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Reyna Emperatriz
Designer: Jaime A. Nanong
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Reyna delas Estrellas
Designer: Robin Pavino Alarcon
Which doll dresses do you like?
Flores de Mayo indeed embodies our rich cultural tradition as Filipinos. I love watching the parade of flamboyant dresses and witnessing this in Barbie Dolls is another thing. I admire these designers.. Very promising! Also, the materials they used are very Filipino.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! I guess, Flores de Mayo is the first fashion runway experience I've watched since I was a kid (but never got a chance to be a Reyna, lol). These designs are crazy beautiful!
DeleteOMG!! These barbie dolls look so amazing!! HAHA I wished at some point I was in those dresses because they're so stylish. WOW Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteSame here! These designs are topnotch!
DeleteIf I were to choose, I will be wearing the same dress as Reyna Elena! I love how it looked like very Filipina and sophisticated at the same time. Plus, would really want to experience Santa Cruzan. :)
ReplyDeleteThese designers put a lot of work, patience, and probably needle-pricking experience for create these designs.
DeleteI did NOT know this was a thing! Now that I've seen how gorgeous they are though, I'm hoping for more! Applause all around for those amazing designers. Imagine going to the MET in one of those gowns! Serving looks all the while. :)
ReplyDeleteTotally agree! I remember back in 4th grade, we had this school project / competition on making doll dresses. But these Lucban designers are so creative! I want more too!
DeleteTheir creaativity and innovativity was so liiitt.. No wonder why most Filipino designers were featured on an international events.
ReplyDelete.... yes, including many pageant dresses! Hello Miss Universe!
DeleteGrabe!!! Ang gaganda ng mga designs niya. Pang-world class yung mga ganitong talent!!! Galing! I wonder kung gaano katagal niya ginagawa ang isang design hehe
ReplyDeleteMaking these Barbie dresses would be more tedious coz it is super extra small size!
DeleteOHYMGOD! THOSE ARE REALLY BEAUTIFUL GOWNS! I experienced once na maging Reyna Elena pero if only may ganitong nag di-design na ng gown dati diba omggg and insane, my favorite from this collection is Reyna Elena din :D
ReplyDeleteKung ganito ang susuutin mo next time, it will be the most prized dress you will have in your closet!
DeleteI totally agree with you like these are such intricate designs!! The artist is super talented and i can only imagine what this must look like life sized haha
ReplyDeleteTruly, the Lucban's Pahiyas Festival is so colorful and flamboyant!
DeleteI love things with Filipino twist and I fangirled upon seeing these Barbie dolls dressed in Flores de Mayo outfits! It only shows Filipinos are very talented and I hope this collection gets recognized world-wide. I specially liked Reyna Esperanza - I want one!
ReplyDeleteI wish that the local tourism office of Lucban Quezon will build a dedicated doll museum. These designs are world-class!
DeleteI am so drawn by the lush green creation of Ian Mancenido! There is something so regal and elegant about the shade and the details are so intricate! They are all so talented!
ReplyDeleteOMG, Yan rin fave ko! I'm so loving the fresh green!
Deletesuch amazing talent of these artists who made these gowns for the Barbies. Sana mag shine din sila through real life people! they have a long way to go!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you!
DeleteWow! The designs are so stunning! I like them all ang hirap mamili sa totoo lang. Ang galing nila! Tsaka mas mahirap tahiin ang maliit na dresses compared sa malaki db?
ReplyDeleteMas mahirap kasi maliit, at I bet handmade ito... I tried making doll clothes before at mahirap tahiin using sewing machine.
DeleteThose dresses are absolutely amazing! I can't believe all the intricate detail put into such small pieces. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brianne!
DeleteThis work is absolutely amazing. I can't believe how intricate these dresses are! They are true works of art.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, artsy!
DeleteAmazing. Absolutely amazing. I've never seen this level of detail on a human-sized dress, let alone a dress made for dolls. These are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese creations made me wishing to meet the designers and learn from them all!
DeleteThese designers are really talented. The gowns were stunning. They look like real gowns worn in formal gatherings with Filipiniana theme.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling jealous! They got gorgeous dresses!
DeleteAwwh wow these are so cool. They need up scaling for humans! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteSo true! But maybe it will took longer hours to create in a bigger scale.
DeleteWow, these are really gorgeous dresses. I would love to have had an utfit like one of these for my Barbies! I can't even pick only one! All are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIF only I have one wish, maybe to have Lucban its own doll museum!
DeleteThose are such awesome designs! What a fun project. So many amazing pieces!
ReplyDeleteI need to learn from these designers :)
DeleteAmazing dress, you can't really decide because all of them look awesome haha.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! I want them all :)
DeleteOMG! These Barbie Doll dresses are simply amazing! All of the gorgeous detail must have taken hours to make these beautiful creations.
ReplyDelete... some maybe took months!
DeleteThe designers mind is very creative to create such beautiful designs! Napakalikot ng isip para sa ganyan.
ReplyDeletehahaha true! Ang daming ideas nila :)
DeleteThis is crazy beautiful. Filipino designers gave so much effort and dedication on their creation. Indeed Filipinos are talented. Proud of it!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder many Filipino fashion designers collaborated with international beauty pageants!
DeleteThese are absolutely stunning pieces. The details of each gown are meticulously put together. Imagine the patience and the artistry to create each and every piece.
ReplyDeleteThey gave me ideas for my future gown! Hihihihi
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