MAAARI

PIA DRESS - CHECKERED/SHIFU

DESCRIPTION Poncho-esque shift dress with panels on both sides attached by mother of pearl buttons and loops. Available in a shifu (plain) or checkered pattern weave in sizes S/M/L/XL.* Unisex. 50% pia, 50% silk. The Pia Capsule is MAAARIs take on the barong tagalog, the national formalwear garment of the Philippines. Made of pia, a delicately woven fabric made of pineapple fibers, the barong tagalog combines elements of indigenous Filipino and colonial Spanish styles and is usually adorned with elaborate embroidery detail. Our approach is more normal than formal, and the ethereal nature of pia layered in simple silhouettes is a dream. NOTE: In alignment with our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices, all of our garments are made-to-order. The pia fabric is woven meticulously on hand-looms and afterwards made specially for you by our seamstress. Lead-time will be one month upon placement of your order. *If you would like to commission a size that's not available, please email us at info@maaari.co. SPECS Measurements are taken flat. S: chest 17 / waist 20 / hem 22.5 / length 26 M: chest 18 / waist 21 / hem 23.5 / length 27 L: chest 19 / waist 23 / hem 24 / length 27 XL: chest 21 / waist 24 / hem 25 / length 28 Tyanna (image 1) is 56 with a 30 waist and wears a size x-large. Eden (image 3) is 510 with a 25 waist and wears a size medium. Nadine (image 7) is 53 with a 25 waist and wears a size small. Tomy (image 10) is 510 with a 26 waist and wears a size large. ABOUT THE MAKERS & ABOUT PIA Since 1996, La Herminia Pia has been a steward of pia weaving in Aklan, Philippines (western Visayas) and has kept the tradition in its founding family for generations. Pia fabric is uniquely derived from the inner layer of pineapple plant leaves. With several fields of red bisaya (pineapples) at their Aklan base, La Herminia creates the beautiful fabric from their harvest. First removing the leaves, a piece of porcelain is used to scrape and separate into fibers which are then washed and set out to dry in the sun. Once fully dry, the fibers are tied together from end to end to create a large bundle for weaving on hand looms. The result is a translucent clothsoft, fine, and high in luster. Because the pia fibers are fine and delicate, carefully weaving with them can take 1-2 months. Once the pia fabric is woven, our pieces are sewn in New York City by Asuncin Vidallo or Tita Shonie, an incredibly talented seamstress who has been sewing for over 40 years. TAKE CARE Dry clean or gently hand wash with mild detergent and cold water. Hang dry. The nature of pia fabric is similar to linen and wrinkles easily. Iron with high temperature using light pressure and steam function. Our products are made by human hands and with natural materials. We believe the slight variations in our pieces are what make them unique and extraordinary.