In an open letter to Filipinxs in the diaspora, VINTA Gallery founder Caroline Mangosing urged the Filipinx community to do the work of decolonizing and digging deeper to know ourselves. In the context of fashion and design, decolonization could mean many things to many people and brands. For VINTA, it means centring Filipinx voices, stories and their work, in an effort to reclaim our own culture. Designer, educator and member of the research group Decolonising Design said it best: “Decolonizing is about shattering the familiar.”

In a previous article, we outlined the rich and interesting history of the Barong Tagalog in all its embroidered glory. If you ask us, the barong is one of the most elegant pieces of artwork one can wear — and should be a staple in all Filipino men’s wardrobes. At the same time, the barong carries with it a long history of trauma and discrimination. In the past, it was believed that Spanish colonizers forced native Filipinos to keep their transparent barongs untucked and without pockets to distinguish them from the ruling class and to prove that the wearer was not stealing or carrying a weapon. Meant to police the native “Indios,” it served as a constant and painful reminder that they will always be oppressed.

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND DESIGNER

Does anyone feel like time has gone super fast since quarantine began? It seems like only yesterday we sent out our last VINTA Update in March — and now we’re already halfway through the year. (Sidenote: We literally had to Google if this was a thing, the whole concept of time speeding up during the pandemic, and it is — apparently psychologists say it happens when a routine changes drastically, our worlds and lifestyles shrinking to the bare minimum and all of us trying to multitask more. It’s a common phenomenon. Just an FYI. We’re all still in this together.)

But I digress.

At VINTA Gallery, things haven’t slowed down. Here’s what’s been going down.

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND DESIGNER

We’re not even a full quarter into the year yet, and 2020 has already been a wild year.

Recently, we caught wind of the news about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announcing the full lockdown of the Metro Manila region — an area that holds over 12 million people — for an entire month, from March 15th to April 14th, due to the coronavirus. This means shutting down any government work, suspending all domestic travel to and from Metro Manila and restricting entry of travellers from foreign countries, especially those known to be directly exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Last month, we held our first ever Private Shopping Experience Contest on Instagram — the selected winner and tagged friend would receive an exclusive styling and shopping day with our founder and designer, Caroline Mangosing, plus a $100 Gift Card each to spend.

Just in time for NYE 2020, our two winners, Yasmine Perez-Achig and her mom Princess, visited the VINTA HQ in Toronto the Saturday before ringing in the New Year. Yasmine shared what it was like to spend the day with Caroline and what the experience meant to her and her mom.

We all know the holidays can be a stressful time. Not only are you trying to find the perfect holiday gift for your family members, friends, significant other, kids/nieces/nephews and co-workers, but you’re also prepping for parties, finding that one amazing New Year’s Eve outfit and scrambling to finish work stuff, all the while mapping out your #2020goals. Phew.

Good news is VINTA has your back.

We’ve put together the ultimate holiday gift guide 2019 packed with gift ideas for the Filipina and/or Filipino in your life. Lezz goooo.