FASHION IS COMPELLING. IT REVEALS OR DIGUISES. IT CAN CREATE ILLUSIONS. IT IS A MIRROR OF TIME AND CULTURE. IN THE PHILIPPINES, FASHION HISTORY REFLECTS A HERITAGE OF ARTISTRY AND SOPHISTICATION THAT FEW MAY RECALL; YET MANY MIGHT BE INSPIRED BY.

From 1947 to 1990, Salvacion Lim Higgins – better known by the acronym of her name, Slim - challenged the parameters of Philippine fashion, giving it some of its earliest, and often boldest strokes. Yet perhaps her true legacy lies not in her own work but in that of succeeding generations of designers trained at the Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, which she established in 1960. The school, approaching its 50th anniversary, has seen tens of thousands of students pass through its doors to date, many having gone on to make their own indelible marks.

In keeping with her vision to nurture young talent, the Slim’s Legacy Project set out to document a body of work that spanned over four decades. A retrospective exhibition at the National Museum of the Filipino People would enable three-dimensional examination of her works, whereas the publishing of a book would provide a lasting resource for design professionals. While this endeavor showcases one example of Filipino artistry, its ultimate intent is to rouse and encourage those who will shape the future of our creative industries.

For information on Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, visit www.slimsfashion.com