Don’t you just love choices? Unless you are like me who takes five years to decide on anything, you would love this newest addition to Cebu’s fabric galleries!

ANTHILL FABRIC GALLERY
Building an Alternative Nest and Training Hub for Ingenious/ Indigenous Little Livelihood Seekers
where culture meets style

Anya Lim of Fabric Gallery Anthill

Twelve (12) local painters along with fourteen (14) of Cebu’s young fashion designers grace the trail as they march along where culture meets style. They celebrate the opening of a revolutionary fabric retail concept, an art gallery and a social enterprise all rolled in one hub: the Anthill Fabric Gallery. The designers participate in an “Indie goes Urban” Fashion Show advocating sustainable style for the 21st century woman that will give sustainable life for women weavers. Artists and sculptors also share their talent as they collaborate art in one contemporary exhibit: Co[Operation]. When you enter this nest where ingenuity, fashion, culture, advocacy and art are ingeniously interwoven, you will never see a work of art and a piece of cloth the same way again.

The name “Anthill” in itself is very telling of the company’s beliefs – calling to mind the innovative structure of an anthill, as well as the ant colony’s propensity for being hard working and resourceful.

Three major brands housed within the gallery reflect their business model of “fabric gallery, social enterprise and artist’s nook in one”.  Fabric Sugar Rush is the main gallery, showcasing a sweet array of special fabrics with a variety of rare prints, vintage prints and classic plains. The Indie Workers Trail, in turn, is a selection of vibrant weaves and indigenous fabrics. Products in this section help make the livelihood of women weavers in indigenous tribes more sustainable, and eventually contribute to the preservation of this beautiful local craft. Lastly, there is “The Colony”, a special chamber in the store were young entrepreneurs are given a venue to jumpstart their businesses. This section is a way to celebrate the entrepreneurial minds and creative spirit of the Cebuano.

In much the same way that the real anthill’s colony thrives on a communal spirit, the Anthill Fabric Gallery is a collaboration of hard work, passion, and a need to give back.  Here, fabrics are more than just rolls of cloth. They become a channel of sustenance, and a means for transforming lives. (From their press release)

About Anthill
ANTHILL is primarily a fabric gallery featuring a wide array of special high-end imported fabrics and intricate weaves of indigenous fabrics. It will house unique and limited collections of fine prints, unconventional patterns, interesting textures, extra ordinary cottons, beaded laces, and hand loomed fabrics all one of a kind, exclusive and tailor fit to the fashion taste and preference of every shopper. Regular bridals and formal materials will also be made available. Basic and common fabrics will come right in handy to supplement and coordinate the client’s distinctive picks. Textiles will be sourced all over Asia and from weaving villages all over the country among hill tribes. 

ANTHILL Fabric Gallery is a the first creative social enterprise and a lifestyle store in the Metro bringing into one nest ingenuity, fashion, culture, advocacy and art.  

ANTHILL showcases tunnels of distinct and special textiles from Asia and also highlights the beauty of intricate woven indigenous fabrics from the Philippine hill tribes. In this shop, fabrics are more than just rolls of cloth. ANTHILL houses the utilization of fabrics for artistic endeavors and innovative executions transforming fabric into art. 

ANTHILL gives back to the community as it supports income generation among young entrepreneurs and rural communities especially indigenous tribes all over the country. It is a human collaboration of hard work and passions all intertwined in one shared dream.   

ANTHILL will cater to all fabric collectors and will promote more the culture of fabric collection. It will put on spotlight the use of fabric as an art by showcasing a long line of textile by- product creations that will fascinate clients. This will be complemented by statement accessories like buckles, buttons, zippers and other craft supplies needed to complete the fashion art mix in one unified whole. 

An Artist Nook
ANTHILL delights in the proliferation of artists from all over the country and believes that they need not be starving in this third world. Instead, they just need a venue for exposure and celebration of art. ANTHILL will provide that nook for artists and art appreciators alike to commune and share their passions. Every product in the store is a work of art that comes to life. It is a masterpiece with a story behind every creation. 

ANTHILL will house intricate products from local artisans and display artworks from local artists. For most, it will display the exploration and discovery of fabric as an ART, the canvass of creation transformed in beautiful functional aesthetic pieces. 

Just a brief preview of what is going to happen this Saturday – here is the list of Cebu’s Fashion Designers who will be part of Anthill’s Grand Launching:
 
Edwin Alba
Veronica Valente of Veronica’s Closet
Manuel Tumaque
Brendon Val Cenon
Marlowe Dacules
Rey Villegas
Jonas Navarro
Joseph Navales
Yves Camingue
Alejandro Godinez
Peewee Senining
Lory Villareal
Lord Maturan

Stay tuned for the special feature of the launching.