Blouse Item Number: 3048/38 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small cream-coloured, "jusi" fabric blouse with embroidered decoration. The dark cream blouse has elbow-length sleeves with scalloped-edge cuffs, decorated with floral embroidery on the outside edges. The front the blouse is decorated with floral design embroidery in white thread. The design is twisted vines with small leaves and flowers with small sections of holes scattered throughout the pattern, especially inside the larger flower designs. The blouse front also has four groupings of three pearlescent, plastic buttons each. The back of the blouse fastens with five metal snaps and a metal hook at the top of the back edge 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.