12/02/2024
“Pagpag” (Filipino Superstition)
In common use, pagpag means the act of shaking off dust or dirt. Pagpag is also a Filipino term for a superstition saying one can never go directly to one’s home after attending a funeral unless they have done the pagpag. This practice is observed to avoid the following of the dead’s soul to the home of the visitor of the wake. belief is that this will confuse any spirits who are trying to make their way home with you. This story is a modern interpretation of “Taong Grasa”—in my universe, this mourning soul is discovering its purpose, finding a sense of belonging after the death of a loved one.
During my design process, I chose elements that would best represent my ideal muse—that is sentimental, mainly because majority of the images i used from my mood board is my own rental house and places where i came from. I drew inspiration based on the usual appearance of taong grasa (beggar) and how I would like to re-tell and elevate their public persona. This capsule collection was sourced and crafted from upcycled garments, using sustainable dead-stock textiles, and re-purposed them to tailor fit on my zero waste project. I created each piece using techniques like as wire, hand stitching, fabric manipulation, spray painting and dyeing.
