06/11/2026
I'm going through years past dance photos. This particular costume is my FAVORITE and I reference it often. I'm in love with the hue of reds on the shawl and dress. So, I'm on the hunt for a shawl like this one for myself.
I'm Spanish (from Spain) Filipina. My mom is too and likes to claim a good deal of things are from the Philippines. I would have NEVER thought Spanish shawls for flamenco were from the Philippines but, now I'm floored as well as proud.
A traditional Spanish shawl is most famously known as a Mantón de Manila. Despite being iconic to Spanish and Andalusian culture, the silk and embroidery techniques of the Mantón de Manila actually originated in China. They were heavily imported to Spain via Manila, Philippines (hence the name), during the era of the Manila Galleon trade routes.