Designer Commentary 

“I was hoping to design one of the girls in our comic book since I have more experience playing around with different feminine hairstyles and dresses, and I was thankfully given the task of designing Mel, one of if not the most fashionable woman in our story. As someone belonging in the higher classes, I concluded that Mel would have more Spanish-like features. This not only makes her highly ranked in terms of race, but also in terms of beauty, since at the time, both physical looks and nationality were factors in how society would treat and rank a person. As such, I gave her features of what people would deem “beautiful” during the 19th century, such as light skin and brown hair. Her soft yet bold features also communicate her personality, being kind yet passionate. Everyone in the group often associated Mel with my personality, so it was very easy and personal for me to design someone who was basically my 19th century Philippines clone.

Since she is highly ranked, her attire would definitely be intricate, big, and extravagant, which worked out for me since I love designing big dresses. Taking inspiration from “Fashionable Filipinas”, a book by Bench & Slim's Fashion and Arts School, I appropriated the components of high class women's attire such as a Sortija (set of accessories, associated with high financial status), baro, saya, and tapis, all of which having intricate detailing to further emphasize her wealth. As for the said details, I noticed most embroidery and engravings had flowers and other plants, so I also used flora and fauna in her clothes and accessories.”

-- Reinalyn Bautista, Company Head