One of the most popular fashion trends in the Philippines is definitely the fashion jewelry. Since time immemorial, jewelry has been an integral part of the Filipino culture, and the traditional or tribal type of jewelry has been a favorite among the Filipinos. The style of jewelry varies according to the period of history, but each of the designs and patterns found in these jewelry items are truly timeless and can be found in different styles, shapes, and sizes. For example, during the early times, the Filipino tribes used clay to craft different jewelry items, such as necklaces, bracelets, bangles, and earrings. Now, you may say that this was the pre-cloth technology era of the Philippines, but this simply isn’t true; one of the most common pieces of jewelry made by Filipinos during that period were the copper bracelets and bangles that can be found in the museums in Batangas City and San Quentin, as well as the more refined gold and silver pieces that were given to guests during social gatherings.
Even up until the 20th century, when the fashion industry in the Philippines began to grow, jewelry and other fashion accessories from the Philippines were considered a symbol of wealth and status. You can see this more clearly when you look at some of the old Manila souvenir shops or in antique shops in Cebu. You will also see that there is a distinct design and flair in the hand crafted souvenirs that you will come across.
What happened during the 1990’s to change all of this? Well, during that time Philippine fashion designers started to experiment with new materials, patterns, and designs. They also started to include fresh fabrics and leathers in their creations. Aside from that, they also took time to explore and develop new designs in their jewelry pieces. It was during this time that the country’s fashion industry truly began to boom. With this said, you will be able to find a wide array of fashion jewelry pieces in the market today, which will surely make you stand out in any crowd.