When renowned Kapampangan artist and designer, Philip Dizon-Torres, launched his designer brand, Pidayit, it immediately made a distinct fashion statement here and abroad. In fact, among the souvenir items given to the wives of foreign dignitaries at the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and wall art display in the Asean Convention Center in Clark were all Pidayit products.
Did we even think it possible transforming scarps of fabric or “retazos” to exceptional garment, accessories, and other fashionable pieces? “It all started when I thought of creating something new out of the retazos in my shop so that they will not go to waste,” Torres shares.
He adopted the word Pidayit from “pidayit-dayit”, a Kapampangan word that means putting together to form a new one. Coupled with his love for Kapampangan rich cultural heritage and the desire to preserve, Torres combines creative traditions and techniques of embroidery, beadwork, and crochet with diverse style and intricate expressions, all made by hand.
“Pidayit is a profound tapestry of Kapampangan creativity. Like Pampanga it is rich in texture, patterns, character and personality, “ Torres says.
Each Pidayit piece is unique. Torres said he couldn’t reproduce each piece he makes because of the scarps from different fabrics. Even if they come from single piece of cloth, the patterns and scopes of the scraps will still make the piece different.
More than fashion, Torres fulfills a purpose. He helps the community stay-at-home wives, differently abled individuals, out-of-school-youth, unwed mothers and even students by providing a livelihood with Pidayit.
Torres brings pride and appreciation to his team and all the people behind the success of Pidayit. It has gone a long way, supported and worn by fellow fashion designers Patis Tesoro and Dita Sandico , local politicians, fashion icons and royal family of Qatar.
Philip Dizon-Torres’ Pidayit exhibit in Clark Museum starting April 2018.
Pidayit shop is located in Apo Road #20 L&S Subd. Angeles City. For more details call 0917-6056344 or 0918-9364240.