Blouse Item Number: 3048/37 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small cream-coloured, "jusi" fabric blouse with embroidered decoration. The blouse has short sleeves with scalloped-edge cuffs embroidered with flowers along the edges. The front section of the blouse is also decorated with white floral embroidery and two large flowers sitting in a sun shape, interiors decorated with small holes created by criss-crossed white fibres. This pattern is also scattered across the other sections of embroidery. The front of the blouse is decorated with four groupings of three pearlescent, plastic buttons. The back of the blouse fastens with five metal snaps and a metal hook at the top back of the collar.

Narrative

Part of a diplomatic staff suit, or costume, designed for the four representatives to wear at the Philippines Pavilion, at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962 (April-October). Arturo Cruz was chosen by Luis Araneta (architect and government appointed director of the pavilion) to design the tailored suits and traditional costumes for the staff. His salon made the suits and balintawak costumes using traditional textiles representing different regions of the Philippines.