PHILIPPINE DESIGN FEATURED IN A FASHION SHOW IN STOCKHOLM

14 October 2022, Stockholm – The International Women’s Club (IWC), a social club that aims to foster friendships and goodwill amongst women living in Sweden, organized a luncheon and fashion show on 11 October 2022 at the Operaterrassen in Stockholm to benefit Child10, a non-profit organization.

IWC Club President Margareta Eidensten opened the show featuring traditional national costumes of members to showcase the culture and history of their respective countries. Featured were lady Ambassadors such as Thailand Ambassador Kanchana Patarachoke wearing a traditional chong kben, Malaysia Ambassador Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib wearing a baju kurung, and Philippine Ambassador Maria Lumen Isleta wearing a feminized embellished version of the piña fabric barong Tagalog, as well as spouses of the Ambassadors of Georgia, India, Bangladesh, Morocco, among others. 

After the introductions of lady Ambassadors, spouses and members’ traditional national costumes, the show proceeded to showcase more traditional costumes as worn by professional models. Among the countries showcased were the U.S. (Hawaii), Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Hungary, India, Thailand, China, Egypt, Morocco, Rwanda, Finland, the Philippines, and Sweden.

The Philippine costumes were modelled by Ms. Jenny Syquia-Skarne who wore her bespoke Filipino terno with signature butterfly sleeves and fully embroidered bodice, and Ms. Jenny Hansen who wore a baro or “traje de mestisa” made of piña silk. They both elicited appreciative applause as they walked past the audience. 

The charitable event was carried out in partnership with Child10, a non-profit organization that aims to eradicate child trafficking by supporting vulnerable children. Members of the Club had an opportunity to hear from Mr. Jacorb Flärdh, Secretary General of Child10, and the projects that the organization is currently implementing. END.

The Philippines had a strong presence at the event with its IWC members led by Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta (third from left) who was joined by Ms Aya Sunga Askert, Ms. Jenny Syquia -Skarne, Ms. Patricia Santos, Ms Jenny Hansen, Ms. Rachelle Hansen, Dr Ivee Hidvegi, and Ms. Susan Fries.

Representing the Philippines in the fashion show were Ms. Jenny Syquia-Skarne (left photo) and Ms. Jenny Hansen (right photo).

Ambassador Nur Ashikin Binti Mohd Taib of Malaysian Embassy wearing baju kurung, is shown with IWC members in their Swedish and Finnish national costumes (left photo), Ambassador Maria Lumen Isleta of the Philippines showcasing a feminized embellished version of the piña fabric barong Tagalog (middle photo), Ambassador Kanchana Patarachoke of the Royal Thai Embassy donning traditional Thai chong kben (right photo).

Traditional attire showcased in a fashion show.