How Salvacion Lim Higgins imagined and reimagined the Filipino identity in fashion
The beginning of her storied career coincided with the end of World War II, which left Manila in great ruin. But National Artist Salvacion Lim Higgins, more fondly known as “Slim,” refused to be defined by the dark times that preceded her path. She moved forward with fashion, relentlessly dressing the Filipina woman in exquisite gowns that bore the same fire, elegance and boldness of her enduring creative spirit. To this day, her work remains a testament to her ever-evolving creations; her dresses and gowns both timeless — and ahead of her time. In homage to national artist Slim’s contribution to Philippine fashion, the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the Metropolitan Theater recently unveiled its maiden exhibit titled “Imagining/Imaging.” It offers a leisurely walk through the designer’s career from the late 1940s to 1990. “I felt that this would be a good time to show young designers the range of her inspirations on this theme,” shared Slim’s son, artist Mark Lewis Higgi...