LUMAD-inspired creations of Dabawenyo designer Wilson Limon, the man behind the home-grown brand NiñoFranco, are beginning to gain mass following not only here in the Philippines but overseas as well after no less than Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray proudly wore his second Lumad-inspired creation.
Gray, in her Instagram account, posed wearing a denim skirt by Niñofranco embellished with mother pearls.
"The Niñofranco denim skirt with mother pearls was embellished by Tagakaulo School of Living Traditions (SLT) leader Biya Narcisa Galgo Celestino herself," Limon said in a phone interview.
He said embellishing of pearls alone was done for about two to three weeks, adding that although the creation entails a long period of time, he is still open to orders for the Tagakaulo-inspired skirt.
"Lisod gyud, kay ang mother pearls lisod kaayo pangitaon, kini (referring to the skirt Catriona wore) kay sa Cebu pa nako gi-source," he said.
Limon revealed that this is not the first time that Gray wore his Lumad-inspired creation as when she was in Bangkok, she also wore the T'boli-inspired skirt by NiñoFranco.
"It was a Marsala skirt embellished with sequins and hand-embroidered by Tboli tribe," Limon said.