Hand-woven silk bolero completes look of DOST Secretary at S&T

11 Aug '09

2 min read

Science Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro modeled a silk dress dyed with talisay leaves and young coconut husk at the opening ceremonies of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held recently at the Manila Hotel.

Developed by the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), the fabric was hand-woven from breeds of Philippine silkworm varieties and carries PTRI technologies in silk throwing or plying and twisting, and young coconut husk and talisay leaves dye extraction and textile application.

A plaid, hand-woven silk bolero completed the look of Sec. Alabastro. This piece was also dyed using talisay leaves for the black warp and weft and young coconut husk for the pink weft.

PTRI developed the fabrics together with De La Cruz House of Piña and New York-based designer Anthony Cruz Legarda. JC Sasoy, one of the runners-up at the Young Designers' Competition held early this year, designed the outfit.

In celebration of the NSTW, the Institute, for the first time, showcased its technologies in developing saluyot, maguey, and water hyacinth fibers into textiles as well as natural dye printing from malatayum plants and mahogany trees at the science and technology fair held at the Event Center of SM City Bicutan, Taguig from July 20 until 24, 2009. Other DOST agencies that comprise the Bicutan science community also exhibited their new technologies.

Department of Science and Technology

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