A SUNDAY COLLECTION SPOTLIGHT FROM MESTIZA CO-FOUNDER, ALESSANDRA PEREZ-RUBIO

The Shimmy Tassel Dress. It’s really the silhouette that started it all. In the early days of Mestiza, I was pregnant with my son Carlos and all I wanted was a something special that fit my growing bump.

When researching silhouettes, I was inspired by the dramatic sleeve silhouette of the traditional Filipino Maria Clara. The architectural sleeve was so special and effortless and I knew the design details would become a cornerstone of every Mestiza collection. 

The colors and prints in Mestiza’s Spring 2022 Collection are just as whimsical as they are wearable. Some standouts are our 3D multi florals, antique inspired laces in pink and ivory, and a tropical monkey toile. To me, the lace Mira Mini Dress is the most sentimental, because it reminds me of a gown by the late Filipino designer, Pitoy Moreno, that my mother modeled in the 60’s.

While all these flowy styles have their own unique design details, each maintain the same nostalgic butterfly sleeve of the Shimmy Tassel Dress. They all allow you to look incredible with minimal effort, the kinds of dresses that you can just throw on and walk out the door. 

The Shimmy Tassel Dress was born out of my desire to create a silhouette that paid homage to something so traditionally Filipino but also keeping it modern. Over the years all the dresses that have come since I can genuinely trace back to the success and distinctiveness of the Shimmy: the fact that a simple silhouette can still make a bold statement.