Salvacion Lim Higgins: National Artist for Fashion Design
‘Whereas, Salvacion Lim-Higgins masterly innovated and transformed the national costume into a world-class silhouette, inspiring generations of Filipino designers.”
Sixteen years after Ramón Valera was declared a National Artist, another fashion designer has been posthumously presented “the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the development of the Philippine arts and culture.”
In an announcement that surprised the arts and culture circle in a pleasant way, Malacañang Palace, upon joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), officially released the names of eight new National Artists on June 10, 2022.
Salvacion Lim Higgins was born on January 28, 1920, in Legazpi, Albay. She died on September 15, 1990, a few days after designing her last collection. Famously known as Slim, she was a feisty and fiery woman who “blurred the divide between the conventional and the contemporary, casting off literal interpretations of Filipino and Western fashion” is one way to describe her immense impact that reverberates to this day.
As per www.slimslegacy.com, Higgins’ body of work helped define modern Philippine couture with three characteristic elements:
“The first was inventive, often audacious, construction. Her trademark draping accented the female form, yet she also often altered it, through whimsical or geometric shapes.
Her second signature was a startling palette that was completely out of the ordinary, whether utilized as a single, dramatic shade or in previously unimaginable combinations.
Finally, there was Slim’s ability to think in three dimensions, whether she was devising the silhouette or lines of a gown, or engaged in the smallest detail of ornamentation.”
The “Slim’s Method” was taught at the Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, founded in 1960 by Slim and her elder sister, Purificacion Lim Zurhorst. It provided in-depth, technical courses in fashion design and dressmaking/patternmaking to equip students with the fundamental skills to start careers in fashion or establish their own shops.
Jackie C. Aquino, fashion-show director and cofounder of the Philippine Fashion Coalition, was one of many fashion professionals who endorsed Slim to be a National Artist.
And when the pioneering Filipina was finally given the accolade, Aquino said, “It means a lot to the industry we love dearly as this recognition validates our belief that fashion is the best visual representation of any culture and civilization.”
As an avant-garde couture designer, Slim was heavily influenced by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Christian Dior. By being a trailblazing Girl Boss, she in turn opened doors for women designers. It’s her school, however, that is her greatest legacy. It produced stellar talents who went on to carve remarkable careers in fashion.
Among the distinguished alumni are Zenaida Tecson, Eddie Ocampo and Oskar Peralta (1961), Joe Salazar (1960s), Cesar Gaupo (1965), Dom Martin “Gang” Gomez, OSB (1968), Loretto Popioco (1974), Ezra Santos (1980), Oliver Tolentino (1988), Michael Cinco (1991), Alex Pigao (1991), Joey Samson (1992), James Reyes (2004), and Aries Lagat (2005).
Here are a few thoughts from a tremendously proud alumni.
CHITO VIJANDRE (1977): It’s definitely well deserved. Salvacion Lim Higgins was a trailblazer in the world of fashion, a very innovative couturier who pushed the limits but always done in good taste and with the finest craftsmanship—values and skills that she imparted to us alumni and has inspired us to this day.
ALBERT ANDRADA (1990s): Salvacion Lim Higgins deserves to be a National Artist. She educated a lot of designers on what “couture” really is. One of the most important values I learned from Slim’s is the discipline, dedication and commitment of being a designer. I learned to be very meticulous in every detail of constructing a dress up to its smallest one. This, up to this day, helps me create perfect pieces which I am so proud of.
PABLO MENDEZ III (1993): She deserves it 101 percent. She has contributed immensely to the fashion industry of this country and not only that, she also educated, mentored and molded thousands of aspiring and successful fashion designers including myself. I feel an enormous sense of pride to have been her mentee. She is a big part of whatever I have achieved and will be achieving. The values and lessons I learned are diligence, patience, to strive to be innovative and creative, to never stop learning, and to always find something that will make you inspired and productive.
JAZ CEREZO (2006): I think it’s great that the late Salvacion Lim Higgins is now honored and recognized as a National Artist. Her talent, contribution, and legacy in the Philippine fashion industry is unparalleled. At Slim’s, I learned how to create my designs from scratch, from fashion illustration to constructing garments. During my time as a student, they had a different teaching method that allowed students to learn at their own pace. They taught us that it’s not how fast you finish a project but what’s important is the quality of its construction.
Business Mirror | By: Miss Charlize
