A space for heritage, a season for glamour—the designer’s new boutique is home to a holiday collection made with parol-inspired embroidery
If holiday shopping feels frantic, Jor-El Espina is here to change that. More than a dedication to Filipino craftsmanship, the designer’s newly opened boutique is a study in how to do immersive retail. A visit to this space, located in Makati, on the 7th floor of One Corporate Plaza, doesn’t just fill your wardrobe, but your senses. Capiz, abaca, and piña fiber are transformed into artful interiors, bathed in soft lighting and serenaded by a luxe but local playlist. There’s also the boutique’s signature scent: a concoction of tropical blooms and forest hints that makes even the air feel exclusive. With a collection inspired by Christmas parols, suddenly, the holidays don’t seem so stressful anymore for the woman.
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Espina calls it a “sensorial journey”, and honestly, it’s hard to argue. His boutique takes you on a tour of contemporary Filipino design that makes even the most jaded shopper stop and marvel.
Filipino-Style Glamour
The designer’s holiday collection feels like an invitation to a Filipino fiesta, only with fewer lechon platters and more sartorial sparkle. Inspired by the dazzling parols that light up Philippine Christmases and the embroidery of heirloom barongs and ternos, these pieces are as much about storytelling as they are about style.
Espina’s holiday collection feels like a celebration in motion. Layers of translucent piña fabric glide over metallic textures, catching the light with every move, like a parol casting its glow on a December night. Sculptural boleros frame the shoulders with an almost architectural precision, while flowy separates sweep the floor, evoking the lost art of cleaning up glamorously, naturally.
Let’s set the scene: She walks into a holiday gathering wearing one of Espina’s creations, and heads turn so fast you’d think they spotted a celebrity. She’s confident, proud of her roots, and unafraid to wear her culture on her (metaphorical) sleeve. Every piece she dons tells a story—her story—crafted with artistry that makes her shine, but never outshine her comfort. This is the Jor-El woman: poised, radiant, and herself.
The Subtle Tease of What’s to Come
Like any good storyteller, Espina knows how to drop hints without giving away the ending. His holiday collection features touches of gold, offering a taste of what’s in store for his 20th anniversary celebration in 2025. He reveals the key themes of the collection: celebration and continuity.
Jor-El Espina’s boutique and holiday collection enhance the season’s wardrobe as a tribute of Filipino heritage dressed in a contemporary look. Tradition gets a sleek update; it illustrates that history isn’t meant to gather dust, but rather to shine, to be lived in, and to make the holidays undeniably chic.
Photos: BEFORE DEADLINES
