Even in Thailand, Kyrie Irving feels the support from Filipino fans with a custom-made barong gifted by a Makati-based tailor.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving hasn’t visited the Philippines yet, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t felt the love and support from his Filipino fans.
During his first-ever trip to Southeast Asia in Bangkok, as part of his tour with sports brand ANTA, Irving received a custom-made barong with specific design elements as an ode to the eight-time NBA All-Star.
Kyrie Irving receives the custom barong from Salvo Tailors. | Photo: Bel Salvosa
Bel Salvosa, CEO of Makati-based Salvo Tailors, joined Irving in his Thailand stop to gift him the custom barong, which bore Irving’s logo on the cuffs of the sleeves.
Before Irving made his way to centralwOrld LIVE in Bangkok for a fashion show of his own designs with the Chinese sports brand, Salvosa was able to rub shoulders with the NBA champion and explain the vision behind the barong.
While she was speaking with Irving, Salvosa bared her love for all things basketball as a self-confessed hoops fan. During the trip, she also had multiple fan moments including getting Irving’s autograph while he was out for lunch at the Jim Thompson House Museum.
“I’m one of the first woman tailors in the Philippines and I’m a huge Kyrie fan. Since I was young, I have loved both tailoring and basketball. Both require skill, hard work, and a love for art.” said Salvosa.
Kyrie Irving's custom barong. | Photo: Salvo Tailors
“Throughout my journey, I have had the chance to make custom Philippine formal wear called Barongs that show off our rich culture and the amazing skills of Filipino artisans. Each Barong is carefully made from pineapple fibers, which come from the leaves of the pineapple plant. These fibers are handwoven into a light and beautiful fabric. This process reflects the skill and patience of our Filipino craftsmen, just like the teamwork needed in basketball.”
Details of Kyrie Irving's custom barong. | Photo: Salvo Tailors
Salvo Tailors’ gesture was just the latest show of admiration from Filipino fans for Irving, right after Maya Carandang’s Irving mural on a basketball court in La Union which actually drew the attention of Irving himself.
After recently expressing desire to visit the Philippines soon, Irving now has something to remember Filipinos by until he can make a tour stop in Manila.
“On behalf of all his Filipino fans, I am excited to give this to Kyrie because it represents Filipino pride and craftsmanship. Just as you are an artist on the basketball court, what we do brings people together and connects different cultures through the beauty of our crafts,” said Salvosa.
[ALSO READ: Manila next, hopefully? Mavericks star Kyrie Irving makes Bangkok his first-ever stop in Southeast Asia]
Apart from Irving, Salvosa also gifted similar barongs to Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney and Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson during their own tour in Manila last year.
Irving’s two-day trip to Bangkok included the launch of his very own collection with ANTA called Hélà which was exhibited on Monday night at cetralwOrld. Thailand was the only Southeast Asia stop on the trip.
Before getting to Bangkok, Irving was in China for the same tour. He is expected to depart Thailand by Tuesday, September 24.