Renowned international “Wrap Artiste,” clothing designer, and indigenous fashion advocate Ditta Sandico reveals her 40-year journey in the fashion industry with the book, It’s A Wrap: Unravelling the Future of Fashion.
Published by Far Eastern University, written by Francine Medina Marquez, and edited by Gayle Zialcita, It’s A Wrap draws inspiration from indigenous communities, most notably the Mangyan tribe in Mindoro, whose hardworking and skillful women and their craftsmanship are sometimes overlooked.
Ditta’s innovative use of her signature banaca (banana-abaca) wrap—woven fabrics sourced from a small fishing village in the island of Catanduanes— proves the importance and value of material culture research in understanding creativity and aesthetics.
Ditta narrates how a dream and vision changed the quiet lives of weaving communities and turned them into self-reliant hubs of social enterprise. She hopes that her story will challenge and inspire the new generation of young clothing designers who will see the value of the Philippines’ indigenous crafts in nation-branding.
“Beyond promoting our designs, fashion shows serve as opportunities to raise awareness about the artistry and cultural heritage woven into every piece—to help people understand and appreciate the deeper meaning behind the clothes we make,” said Ditta.
The Philippine weaves featured in her collections have been showcased in major fashion capitals including Helsinki, Paris, Rome, Dubai, Los Angeles, New York, Moscow, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur, firmly placing local craftsmanship on the global fashion map.
It’s A Wrap also offers key lessons and best practices for budding designers who are committed to continuing the crusade to present the wonderful artistry of Philippine weavers and embroiderers to the world.
After four decades in the industry, Ditta does not consider personal fame or fortune as her greatest achievement but in knowing that she helped open doors for Philippine weaves to be seen and appreciated globally. Through her work, she has inspired a generation of Filipino creatives to take pride in their cultural heritage and to practice sustainability by utilizing local materials in their designs.
The book launch brings the pages of It’s A Wrap to life through a fashion show and book preview, offering guests a first look at Ditta’s signature wrap creations alongside excerpts from the publication. The event highlights the interplay between narrative and garment, underscoring how each piece carries the stories of the communities behind the weave while presenting a contemporary vision of Filipino fashion.
The launch is made possible through the support of venue partner Y Space at the Yuchengco Museum, together with event partners Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, Diskarte Beer, Bubble Innovations, Arnel Papa, and Bluethumb.
It’s a Wrap is available for purchase through TAMS Bookstore at TamsBookstore@feu.edu.ph
Leave a Reply