Asian and Pacific Islander Culture through Fashion & Stories
When we wear traditional clothing, we carry the weight of centuries of tradition on our shoulders. Every thread weaves a form of art, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. -anonymous
Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Culture Through Fashion and Stories
May 4 – May 26, 2024
Opening Reception: Sat. May 4, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm with host Vanessa Paz, ABC Channel 10*
Opening Reception, reservations required, will be held on Saturday, May 4, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, 2024 with your host Vanessa Paz, ABC Channel 10. Reservations are now available for the “Celebrating AAPI Culture Through Fashion & Stores” opening reception. Guests will enjoy a variety of cultural food from different areas of AAPI during the event. Please see a Chinese Lion Dance where performers mimic a lion’s movements in lion costumes to bring good luck and fortune. Other dances will be performed from Thailand and the Philippines. Guests will be encouraged to participate.
In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2024, the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center (BMCC) will showcase traditional attires representing more than a dozen countries and ethnic communities of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Explore culture, customs, and traditions through historical and contemporary fashion and family stories. The exhibit connects and celebrates our cultural communities through performances and food events during May.
SOLD OUT – MEET THE DESIGNER: KENNETH BARLIS.
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Special appearance by former Project Runway contestant and renowned designer Kenneth Barlis. In this intimate meeting, he will share his journey as a creative force in the fashion industry and provide insights to his inspiration through a fashion show sampling his designs. Event is free, but seating is limited. Students and the public interested in fashion design are encouraged to attend. Kenneth moved to Chula Vista when he immigrated from the Philippines at the age of 14. At the event he was recognized by Silayan Filipina organization and Mayor John McCann of Chula Vista.
Kenneth Barlis Runway Event at the museum
Community members from throughout San Diego County will contribute cultural garments and share a personal narrative that honors their ancestry. Presentations from the Barong Tagalog of the Philippines to the Thai Sarong, Korean Hanbok, and the shimmering of Chinese silk wedding dress and much more will be on display.
Vanessa Paz, ABC Channel 10
May 16 @ 6pm Designer Georgia Mugol: https://bonitahistoricalsociety.org/meet-the-designer-georgia-mugol/
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Your contribution as a sponsor to “Celebrating AAPI Culture through Fashion & Stories” will further enhance the diversity of educational programming offered through the BMCC.
Organza Sponsor: Thank you to the Union of Pan Asian Communities
The exhibition and events will be the first of a kind for the museum and the City of Chula Vista in recognizing Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The planning committee represents an eclectic array of cultural bearers working within API communities in San Diego and other individuals attenuated to the cross-sections of fashion and culture. Some of the current members include:
LEAD CURATORS
Nimpa Akana – BMCC Board Trustee
Joe Mazares – BMCC Board Trustee
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Diana MarJip-Chuh – restauranteur, House of China – San Diego, former BMCC Board Trustee
Myra Guitierrez – President, Silayan Filipina, former legislative chief of staff
Joy DeGuzman – Executive Director, Silayan Filipina
Nikki Summa – Thai Chamber of Commerce – San Diego
Angela Lopez – Senior Designer, BMG Entertainment, FIDM Graduate
Jean Amour by Jean Pioso (CEO Mahal Kita Global)
Want to learn how play Mahjong? Save The Date – May 26, 2024, Sunday. Click Here for more info
Kenneth Barlis after runway event in the museum