DALAGANG BUKID - translates from Tagalog as 'Woman of the Forest and Mountains', which describes a beautiful woman with a binding connection with her land and place of origin.
Both half filipina, this collection is an exploration into EVEM's cultutal heritage, featuring garments named by meaningful filipino words and women of the twin's lives.
Origin is a key element in EVEM's collection as New Zealand as a country incorporates and integrates so many beautiful communities, which gave way into an investigation into the connections shared between these cultures. Ancient DNA evidence extracted from female skeletons at two archaeological sites within Pacific Islands of Tonga and Vanuatu suggest the first settlers likely colonised from Taiwan and northern Philippines between 2,300 and 3,100 years ago. The first Tongans which belonged to the Lapita culture that colonised most of Polynesia, shared a common ancestry with the modern-day indigenous people of Taiwan, as well as the Kanakey of the Philippines. Evidence of Lapita culture was also noted through the remnants of its pottery across the Pacific islands, as well as the dispersal of Polynesian chickens which had their genetic roots in the Philippines. These links are fascinating as they draw an even deeper homage for the Tangata Whenua of New Zealand.
Photographer: Paul Maka-Kea Photography
Model: Alexandra Holly Bullot