Hello, friends!

If you're following Sugarcane Life via email or RSS feed, my new blog URL is http://sugarcanetoddler.com. The new site allows Sugarcane to expand and share more information, setting the stage for new adventures. Please visit and re-sign up there. I promise there won't be a move like this again for a very long time.

Big bear hugs and kisses,
Ria

On a trip to Cebu in the Philippines, I was inspired by the indigenous fabrics at Anthill Fabric Gallery. I love the tribal designs and the vibrant colors. I love even more that the textiles are still made by artisans on antique wooden looms. What's even more impressive is that the artisans are Philippine hill tribe mothers supporting their families, while keeping a native tradition alive.

Anthill collaborates with designers to create demand for these fabrics, supporting the artisans, their craftsmanship, and their traditions. It's a cause I believe in and makes me feel proudly Filipino. I never thought I would design a line but here I am, jumping in with both feet.

These fabrics are commonly used for home goods such as table runners and placemats, so I decided to use them unconventionally. I wanted to make clothes out of them. Toddler clothes, to be specific. The fabrics motivated to look back at indigenous Filipinos, and ati-atihan was what came to mind first. Ati-atihan is a festival celebrating the Ati people, who are believed to be one of the earliest settlers in the Philippines. Ati-atihan costumes are dramatic, wild, energetic, and tribal. It's an unusual inspiration for a toddler line, I'll admit, but that's what makes it interesting.

Photo: art.com

Photo: speedycanizales.wordpress.com

Photo: pinoyfiestavancouver.com

Photo: mrfunanimous.wordpress.com

Photo: demotix.com

I need to do this http://playfullearning.net/childs-play-the-art-of-toy-rotation/

From Playful Learning

Getting some sun in Maui this weekend. Starting now.


What's in our bag?

1. Baby Boden towelling poncho; bodenusa.com
2. Finis jelly swim goggles; amazon.com
3. Tucker and Tate toddler swimsuit; Nordstrom
4. Patagonia reversible baby sun bucket hat; Patagonia
5. iPlay surfs up swim diaper; Day One
6. Down at the Beach board book; Waimea Valley Visitors Center
7. J. Crew Italian matte top and hipster; jcrew.com
8. Tallow sunset suit; Drifter Surf Shop & Cafe
9. Tori Paver betty bandeau and daisy bottom; sirenecollection.com

textiles from Anthill Fabric Gallery and Silahis

Big news! Sugarcane is designing a mini toddler line!

Who? Why? Wha?

On a trip to Cebu in the Philippines, I was inspired by the indigenous fabrics at Anthill Fabric Gallery. I love the tribal designs and the vibrant colors. I love even more that the textiles are still made by artisans on antique wooden looms. What's even more impressive is that the artisans are Philippine hill tribe mothers supporting their families, while keeping a native tradition alive.

Anthill collaborates with designers to create demand for these fabrics, supporting the artisans, their craftsmanship, and their traditions. It's a cause I believe in and makes me feel proudly Filipino. I never thought I would design a line but here I am, jumping in with both feet.


Anthill Fabric Gallery
Pedro Calomarde St.
Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City
Philippines 6000

The Silahis Center
744 Calle Real del Palacio (Gen. Luna)
Intramuros 1002, Manila
Philippines

Today is the first day of the autumnal equinox. It's officially fall. Put on your fall hat!

Birkenstocks are back. The last time they were really popular was in 1993 and I was in high school. There was a girl in school who wore it everyday with her denim shorts and Baja poncho. She had big, curly hair, was almost 6' tall and lanky. She owned that hippie aesthetic even though she was from an upper middle class family.

This time around, though, they're not on the feet of hippies or wannahippies. They were seen on at least 4 runways in New York Fashion Week SS14 as reported by Fashionista.com. Vogue people admitted to wearing them in this article. Refinery29 even challenged their tastemakers to style them. Birkenstocks are being worn by many heavy fashion people, the harbingers of retail, so it's only a matter of time before these comeback kicks are on everyone's feet again. J. Crew has an upcoming collaboration with Birkenstock that splashes truth to this theory. They may seem harmless but, because they make your feet look extra flat and extra wide, Birks can also make the rest of you look flat and wide by osmosis. They can look good only on very long legs and/or very skinny legs. Nevertheless, the look of comfort is so seductive that it may not matter.

Thoughts?

Runway photos: Fashionista

Left: Birks in the Houghton fashion show. Photo: the Wild. Center: Birks on a celeb. Photo: Pinterest. Right: Birks on a fashion blogger. Photo: The Man Repeller.

Even the men's fashion shows had them. Photos: Esquire Magazine.