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The House of Patis Tesoro Patis Tesoro’s exposure to embellishment began in Iloilo province on the island of Panay in central Philippines. Under the guidance of the nuns, she learned the intricate craft of embroidery in Assumption Convent where her talent for design was developed. She spent hours in the dress shop of her mother, Nena Fabella Pamintuan, observing and learning the process of creating beautiful clothes. When her mother died in 1969, Patis returned from the United States where she was taking a course in Art Education.. At this significant crossroad, fate intervened when she met and married Jose Claro Tesoro whose family then owned the largest chain of stores specializing in Philippine handicrafts. Recognizing her talent, her mother-in-law, Salud Tesoro, provided Patis with two sewing machines with which she started her venture into the fashion industry.. With her innovative designs and dedication to her work, Patis initially built a name in the Ready to Wear industry with such popular creations as the keyhole blouse and peasant caftan in the late 1970’s. She converted to couture after she joined the Patrones de Casa Manila in the early 80’s and was exposed to Filipiniana in the course of her involvement with Casa Manila, a museum that highlights the lifestyle of the Filipino ilustrado of the late 19th century.. Its influence led Patis to rediscover classic Filipiniana attire such as the Baro’t Saya, Maria Clara and Barong Tagalog with their exquisite handiwork and embellishment. Her interpretation and adaptation of Filipiniana to current fashion trends has become her hallmark. While searching for handwoven materials for her Filipiniana lines, she learned that the weaving of Philippine indigenous fabrics was in serious decline.. In the case of the piña, only a handful of women were still engaged in transforming this delicate fiber into fabric. To revive the craft of piña weaving, Patis enhanced its competitiveness by persuading the weavers to mix piña with silk to produce piña seda and then dye it with natural dyes. As this new product was more affordable and available in colors other than beige, demand for the piña fabric increased and more weavers were recruited to service this expanded market. , For her achievements in the field of cultural revival, Patis was chosen as one of the outstanding women in the nation’s service (TOWNS Award) in 1992.. Her experience with the piña revival led to the founding of the Katutubong Filipino Foundation (KFF) in 1992 with Amelita “Ming” Ramos, then First Lady of the Philippines, as its Chairperson. KFF’s aim is to revive Philippine arts & crafts. Its success is evident in its projects such as abaca weaving and natural dye nurseries. Patis continues to explore new ideas and influences for her lines. Her success over the past 37 years has encouraged the expansion of her boutique into a fashion house with the
support of her loyal clientele.
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