Broadway star Darren Criss wears a custom Francis Libiran barong
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There is no stopping renowned Filipino designer Francis Libiran from going global as one of his creations landed again in the hands of another international star.
Just recently, Emmy and Golden Globe Awards Best Actor Darren Criss donned a beautiful custom Francis Libiran Barong at the premiere of his newest Broadway musical, Maybe Happy Ending.
Darren's Barong was made of Piña Jusi fabric paired with off-white wool pants and an intricately embroidered and beaded detachable overshirt.
According to the Filipino designer, the intricate beading and embroidery on Darren's barong were inspired by the Philippines Sarimanok, a bird in Filipino Mindanao mythology.
Francis also said that it symbolizes a connection with Darren's newest musical.
“Wearing the Sarimanok on premiere night is like a symbol of good fortune, a way to say that the musical is destined for a successful run,” Francis explained.
But the most beautiful detail to it all was that Francis Libiran's custom Barong for Darren Criss is a tribute to his Filipino heritage.
"I used the colors of the Philippine flag as an ode to Darren Criss' Filipino roots," says Francis in a statement.
The Sarimanok Barong is not the first Francis Libiran creation that Darren has worn, and definitely not the first time he paid tribute to his Filipino heritage.
For his wedding, Darren wore a custom Barong Tagalog inspired by indigenous Cebuano tattoo patterns in honor of his mother's roots.
He also wore a fully beaded, art deco bomber jacket made by Francis Libiran at the premiere night of the live-action movie Aladdin.
SOURCE: Hartman Communications Inc.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT FRANCIS LIBIRAN'S ATELIER AND SEE WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS IN THIS EXCLUSIVE GMA LIFESTYLE TOUR: