What is burda beyond “embroidery” but a centuries-old craft that has been witness and part of Philippine history, culture and tradition?
This symbol of artisanal excellence and remarkable craftsmanship that has become an imprint of our archipelagic nation through style with its endless interpretations, continues to captivate the world. Spanning across eras of fashion, it has taken many shapes and forms, painted in various life events and chronicled in style evolutions.
Today, burda is a coveted and notable detail in modern resort wear.
Iconic trademark
When you think of embroidery and beach travel destinations, an iconic named comes to mind — Amarie. Famous for its iconic burda trademark, Amarie is an artisanal resort wear brand inspired by summer travels and urban life in the Philippine tropics.
Founder Anne Marie Saguil says, “We present to you a fashionably global aesthetic, which serves to promote and uplift Filipino artisans and craftsmanship. The result is a distinctly artisanal stylish collection with unmistakable global flair and a relaxed, seasonless resort vibe.”
In the blood
The craft of decorating runs deep in Anne Marie’s life. Growing up, burda was already running in her blood and veins. She recalls, “My parents’ business was a chain of Filipino handicraft stores in various hotels in Metro Manila, such as the Hilton, the Hyatt, Pacific Plaza, etc. Even back then, my eye was always attracted to the dainty embroidered handkerchiefs, colorfully embroidered women’s blouses and beige on beige embroidery of the men’s Barong Tagalogs.”
So when she decided to pursue a career in fashion and retail business, it was natural for her to want to pursue the art and craft of embroidery in the Philippines.
Her love for burda introduced and exposed her to work with communities. It became an advocacy to help and provide livelihood to groups of women from Batangas, Bulacan and Lake Cebu, all of whom use different embroidery techniques that are part of their history and culture.
Year-round classics
“My pieces actually fall under the Resort Wear category. So, they are meant to be taken on summer vacations and warm-weather holidays all over the world. Imagine walking adventures along the streets of the Monte Carlo or Positano. But for us here who live in a tropical country, after all, my pieces are meant to be worn all year long.”
Anne Marie’s idea of clothing is something meant to be worn every day or every so often. A piece of Amarie is getting your money’s worth for something you can wear over and over again. It boasts of the value of wearability and means something practical and sustainable that goes beyond trends, season after season.
Patriotic direction
Local is where the heart is. Amarie is focusing on growing the roots of her business deep in the country first before going international.
She is focusing on online and continuing to do monthlong pop-ups in the upscale malls of Makati. “I feel that before I can have any plans of bringing the brand abroad, Amarie has to be fully established in the Philippines first,” she says.
Hers is an admirable patriotic direction that starts from within wherein the mastery of craft continues to evolve and the life of burda seems endless.
Check out Amarie’s pop-up space at the 2/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati city from 9 January to 31 March and online at amariebyanne.com.