The designer explains how he showcases Filipino culture at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Redder
The Olympics is one of the most recognized and prestigious sporting events in the world, where athletes from all corners of the globe gather to compete for their respective countries. When the Philippine Olympic Committee tapped Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he immediately envisioned how he wanted to present the Filipino Olympians on the global stage.
In an interview with L&rsquo;Officiel Philippines, Libiran delves into the creation of the Sinag Barong, sharing his inspiration and explaining why he chose to design a genderless piece.

When he received the call one morning, he felt an honor beyond compare. "I was excited to the point wherein I moved so fast and sketched it already," he shared. By the end of the day, he had submitted five sketches. Despite the variety of textiles in the country, Libiran ultimately decided to make a barong. "Our barong is very Filipino. The rich culture shows in the embroidery and fabric itself," he highlights.

In creating the barong's design, Libiran took into consideration the audience and how they would perceive the clothes from afar. To elevate the simplicity of the white barong, he incorporated the colors of the Philippine flag into the barong's "armor" &mdash; a detachable silk organdy sling with embroidered sun rays and Pintados-inspired warrior patterns. &ldquo;I wanted our athletes to wear the iconic sun rays [of our flag] closer to their hearts,&rdquo; he explained. This thoughtful design ensures that the Filipino athletes stand out as they parade along France's River Seine.

The detachable sling was a deliberate choice to enhance the barong's versatility. "I wanted it to be detachable so the athletes could wear it again at any formal events or occasions," he said. Viewing the athletes as modern-day warriors, Libiran made the barong genderless, ensuring that it complements both men and women in a way that feels sporty and inclusive.
Sourcing the materials for the barong took about two weeks, along with its conceptualization. A week after finalizing the design, Libiran provided the prototype, which received an immediate "Yes" from the committee.
One of the challenges Libiran faced was selecting the right materials. For the detachable sling, he sought the perfect shades of blue and red and needed a lightweight material. He chose silk organdy, which complemented the thickness of the barong&rsquo;s pi&ntilde;a-jusi fabric.

Another significant challenge was obtaining the athletes&rsquo; measurements. With tight schedules and varying availability, Libiran and his team often had to attend the athletes' training sessions just to take their measurements.

Despite the pressures and challenges of designing for such an important event, Libiran remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent the Philippines on a global scale and dress the Filipino Olympians. &ldquo;Of course, the pressure is there. I&rsquo;m representing our countrymen. I felt pressured and, at the same time, honored in doing it,&rdquo; he shares.

Francis Libiran’s ‘Sinag Barong’ is A Proud Display of Filipino Resilience

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