FOR THE latest installment of its National Artist Collector’s Series, Freeway is paying tribute to National Artist for Sculpture Abdulmari Imao.

The only Moro to be elevated to the Order of National Artists, Imao (1936-2014) was not only a sculptor but also as a painter, ceramist, photographer, filmmaker and writer.

Imao promoted Maranao arts and culture, especially such motifs as the sarimanok, pako rabong and naga as well as Mindanao Muslim motifs like the ukkil.

The 40-piece collection draws from Imao’s sculptures and paintings to come up with fashion prints and graphics. The collection includes casual and dressy tops, graphic tees, jumpsuits and dresses.

Ranging from casual to semiformal, the collection features woven fabrics, soft materials like georgettes, thick knits and stretch fabrics that flatter one’s figure, in print dresses and tops that can be worn from day to night.

Freeway X Imao Collection also offers accessories such as canvas printed shopping bags, fans, coin purse, utility case, and others. Each item has a National Artist gift packaging and a bio-tag so that one can learn more about the life and works of Imao.

Since 2009, with collections paying tribute to National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin and National Artist for the Visual Arts Ang Kiukok, Freeway has been issuing its National Artist Collectors’ Series biannually. Other artists featured now include Jose Garcia Villa and Ramon Valera in 2010; F. Sionil Jose and Vicente Manansala in 2011; Levi Celerio and Carlos “Botong” Francisco in 2012; Lucio San Pedro and Juan Luna (strictly speaking, not a national artist but an “old master”) in 2013; Bienvenido Lumbera and Federico Aguiar Alcuaz in 2014; and Benedicto Cabrera (“BenCab”) in 2015.

The collections (Imao’s and winning designs in the bag contest) are available at Freeway and The Row branches nationwide.

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