LOOK: Spanish Singer Rosalía Wears Mantón de Manila at the Met Gala 2021

MANILA, Philippines — The mantón de Manila, or Manila shawl, has burst onto the mainstream scene. Spanish singer Rosalía hit the red carpet with a long Manila shawl for Vogue’s Met Gala event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City Sept. 13.

The Barcelona-born flamenco singer’s outfit was designed by Rick Owens, an American fashion designer. “It’s inspired by mantón de Manila. You know, this piece is traditional and is very popular in Spain,” she said in a Vogue interview with YouTuber Emma Chamberlain.

The mantón de Manila traces its origin from Guangdong, China. It was exported to the Philippines through the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade. It became a popular fashion accessory in Seville, Spain and in Latin America.

The Manila shawl is “commonly associated with flamenco dancers who use the fashion accessory to add drama to their dance moves,” according to this arts and crafts store.

Rosalía catapulted into spotlight with her flamenco-inspired song “Con Altura,” in which she collaborated with reggaeton superstar J Balvin and Spanish musician El Guincho. She has won several Latin Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards among others.

Also among the attendees of Met Gala are Olivia Rodrigo, Hailee Steinfeld and Saweetie, who are of Filipino descent.

The said charity and fashion event returned this month after it was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.