Risqué Designs by Tal de Guzman was started in 2012 with the vision of producing art that uses Filipino skills and materials through wearable items such as high fashion shoes. This Spark Project seeks to raise funding for one of its two major shoe collections for 2013, entitled Animalia Filipina. The brand hopes to be able to elevate age-old traditional skills such as hand carving, hand weaving and embroidery through its designs. Tal, the designer, aims to increase the appreciation for these crafts by incorporating them in more modern designs that also have Philippine-inspired themes. Animalia Filipina is a premium four-piece collection that uses Filipino artisan skills, which includes hand carving on wooden wedges/heels and hand woven fabric for the shoesʼ upper body. Endemic animals from the Philippines such as the Tamaraw, Pawikan, Tarsier and Buwaya inspired each of the four designs. Most of these animals are also considered endangered. The Tamaraw (Mindoro dwarf buffalo)  and the Buwaya (Philippine crocodile) will be produced as carved wedges, while the Pawikan (marine turtle) and Tarsier (miniature primate) will be carved heels. All designs will be produced in very limited quantities.

All designs will also make use of exclusive hand woven material and high quality leather/suede for the upper body. The process of hand weaving involves an immense amount of labor and time. Each weaver must possess hand-eye coordination and a lot of patience for the vast amount of work that goes into producing even just one meter of fabric. Sad to say, being a weaver is not a high-income occupation and only a few from the younger generations take time to learn the craft. There is also a bigger demand for these hand-woven materials in the international market than there is in the local market.

Once you've finished backing the project, please fill up this information sheet so that Risqué Designs can coordinate with you further regarding your reward redemption details.

Contact Risqué Designs:

Website:         http://www.risquedesignsph.com

Email:              risquedesigns.ph@gmail.com

Number:        +63917-893-4868