Inspired by Fritz Kreisler’s Liebesleid (Love’s Sorrow) 1930 version and origami vases, Mauie Rongavilla makes use of dark to light nostalgic colors, a variety of floral and geometric prints, and origami in a series of garments where she conveys a story of escape to liberation.

Her memories of her grandmother’s origami vases represent the joyous past that she yearned for while being trapped in a melancholic state of living during a certain time in her life. As time provides opportunities to heal, this ended with a realization that lead her to embracing the present with optimism. The shift of events is similar to how the feeling of sorrow transitioned to joy and acceptance that was expressed in Kreisler’s composition through the use of tempo rubato (expressively speeding up or slowing down of tempo) and portamento (sliding from one note to another). 

Incorporating patchwork, origami pleating, and embroidery techniques unravels how this escape to liberation brought light to her life. This collection serves as a reminder that any hardship in life can be resolved.