The designer collaborated with Ballet Philippines to create stunning Filipiniana costumes for Ang Panaginip, a fantasy ballet production.

Renowned Filipino fashion designer Jor-El Espina begins the new year and celebrates his 20th anniversary in the industry with a collaboration with Ballet Philippines, crafting a stunning lineup of costumes for Ang Panaginip, a full-length Filipiniana dance piece.
Inspired by the precise yet delicate movements of ballet, Espina has long admired the craft. &ldquo;Ballet resonates deeply with me as a designer&hellip; it&rsquo;s storytelling through movement, emotion, and music. The grace and precision of the ballet have inspired a pursuit of elegance and functionality in my creations.&rdquo;

Set in a fantasy world, Ang Panaginip follows the journey of 17 princesses who break free from the routines of palace life in search of adventure and self-expression. Guided by their dreams, they uncover a portal leading to an enchanted realm where they are free to explore who they truly want to be. &ldquo;Ang Panaginip is an ode to the freedom of self-expression and the courage to follow your own path,&rdquo; shares Kathleen Liechtenstein, President of Ballet Philippines.

Despite its fantasy elements, the production remains deeply rooted in Filipino culture, featuring designs that blend traditional Filipiniana aesthetics with Espina&rsquo;s signature use of textures, colorways, patterns, and layers.&nbsp;

Each princess embodies a unique personality while reflecting the collective spirit of a nation rich in diversity, creativity, and beauty. &ldquo;In ballet, the emphasis is on the lines, movements, and silhouettes. These are the same principles that are central to fashion design. In creating costumes for Ang Panaginip, I thought about how the garments would move and transform when in motion,&rdquo; Espina explained.

As an advocate for local craft, Espina ensured his designs pay tribute to cultural heritage. &ldquo;Many of the local fabrics used were collected over the span of 20 years as a designer. We combined various woven textiles with local patterns, beadwork, treatments, and techniques. I was careful not to use sacred weaves and instead opted for local fabrics that can be utilized for everyday clothing or even home accessories.&rdquo;

Catch Ang Panaginip, Ballet Philippines&rsquo; season finale, at The Theatre at Solaire on February 28, Friday, at 8 PM; March 1, Saturday, with a matinee at 2 PM and an evening show at 7 PM; and March 2, Sunday, with performances at 2 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are available at Ballet.ph or via Ticketworld.

Jor-El Espina’s Vision of Ballet and Culture Comes Alive in 'Ang Panaginip'

L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES  March 2024- Park Gyu Young 600PHP 

Jor-El Espina’s Vision of Ballet and Culture Comes Alive in 'Ang Panaginip'

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Jor-El Espina’s Vision of Ballet and Culture Comes Alive in 'Ang Panaginip'