Likhang HABI Kalayaan Online Fair 2021

     Driven by its long-standing commitment to preserve and promote the local textile industry, HABI: The Philippine Textile Council continues to highlight Filipino artisans and craftsmanship and inspire more people to welcome these into their styles, homes, and daily lives through the Likhang HABI Kalayaan Online Fair, which runs from June 12 to 20, 2021.

     To be held over at shophabifair.com, HABI’s virtual mall, just in time for Independence Day, the online fair offers a wonderful selection of hand-woven and handcrafted products from over 30 merchants representing various local weaving communities in the Philippines. These sustainable and ethical fashion and lifestyle goods are carefully curated with the intention to breathe new life into your spaces and fit right into your new normal routines.

Likhang HABI Kalayaan Online Fair 2021

     Featured items in the fair include those designed to refresh your Home—from laptop pillows for your home office to decor and accents for your living and dining areas, kitchen, and bedroom. For the first time ever, Pop Culture collectibles like ethnic instruments, komiks, toys, iconic figurines, tattoos, and contemporary art will also be available.

     The HABI Kalayaan Fair also has Nature and Wellness selection for all those plantitos and plantitas, pet parents, home fitness enthusiasts, and cyclists who had the chance to discover their new passion while on lockdown. As the fair begins just ahead of Father’s Day, it’s also curating unique and meaningful Gift Ideas for Dad, where you’re sure to find him the perfect present.

     Always a highly anticipated part of any HABI fair, this one will of course include must-have Fashion & Accessories that showcase the Filipino weavers’ most stylish works from clothes, face masks, scarves, to malong, as well as accessories like bags, earrings, and hair accents. HABI Exclusives like its published books, the Philippine Cotton Yarn, and weaves woven by different communities with HABI Philippine Cotton Yarns also take the spotlight at the online fair.

Likhang HABI Kalayaan Online Fair 2021
Kanvas Interchangeable Weave Tote Bag and Cord Roll

     HABI Kalayaan Online Fair also gathers some of the most respected personalities to lead-free, special live discussions on Filipino heritage and culture and why we should love and buy local. Streaming live over at @HABIPhilippineTextileCouncil on Facebook and HABI Philippine Textile Council on YouTube, catch Lourd de Veyra’s All Buy Ourselves: Purchasing Local as an Act of Patriotism on June 12, 3PM, Ditta Sandico and style director Raymond Villanueva with SALE A VIE on June 13, 5PM, and Dr. Fernando “Butch” Zialcita’s The Advent of National Costumes in the Philippines and Mexico via the Galleons on June 14, 2PM.

     Certified dog behavior specialist Jennie Fajardo Peres talks about Dog Care Throughout their Life Stages on June 17, 11AM, while Manix Abrera discusses Bulwagan ng Misteryo! Mga Kwentong Komix ngayong New Normal! on June 18, 3PM. Fashion designer Victor Baguilat Jr. shares about social enterprise Kadama with Promoting Ifugao Weaving Through Social Enterprise on June 19, 5PM, while sound healer Yeyette San Luis presents a one-of-kind experience with Music and Sound for Healing on June 20, 3PM.

     Since 2009, HABI has been providing traditional weavers and local weaving communities platforms like the Likhang HABI Market Fair to enhance their skills, innovate to keep up with trends, and ultimately, give the wider market access to their works. But with the ongoing pandemic, organizing trade fairs have been unlikely. This is why HABI had quickly pivoted by going online in October 2020, helping sustain the local weaving economy, and enabling more people to see how these local weaves and products can fit easily into their lives and spaces as we transition into what we hope to be a better normal. The Likhang HABI Kalayaan Online Fair runs from June 12 to 20, 2021 at www.shophabifair.com.