Renée Patron’s Banago takes inspiration from a beachside tennis court memory, transforming her father’s quarantine project into a collection
When you first glance at Banago’s bags and accessories, you might see the colorful craftsmanship of the Philippines, the woven textures of local banig, or the unmistakable essence of island life. But beneath the surface of Renée Patron’s designs lies community ties, deep roots, and a father’s enduring influence.
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Roots to Riches
Founder Renée Patron didn’t just stumble upon the idea of launching a brand. After cutting her teeth in the cutthroat world of New York fashion for over a decade, she returned to her native Philippines with a mission: to uplift the arts and crafts communities of her homeland, starting with her family’s home region of Samar. In 2011, she saw the untapped potential in the humble banig—woven mats traditionally used in Filipino homes—and decided to turn this everyday item into an international sensation.
“When I started in 2011, the idea was simple,” Patron recalls. “I wanted to use my industry experience to help local artisans by giving them the support they needed—from design and product development to wholesale sales and export logistics.”
Banago’s first collection was a triumph, catapulting the brand into the spotlight with retailers like Anthropologie, J.Crew, and Le Bon Marché in Paris. Patron’s dedication to modernizing traditional crafts and her keen eye for quality positioned Banago as a pioneer in the “artisan-made” movement before it became a global trend.
The Tennis Court That Inspired a Collection
While Banago’s success is a testament to Patron’s entrepreneurial spirit, her latest collection, For the Love Tennis, tells a more personal story that harkens back to her childhood and her father, Sonny. During the pandemic, when restrictions made it impossible for her father to hit the tennis courts, he decided to build his own practice wall beside their beach house on Banago Beach in Calicoan Island, Samar.
“I was inspired by the turquoise blue color of the court against the coconut palm leaves, colorful flowers, tan sand, and the calm Leyte Gulf Sea beside it,” she shares, her words tinged with nostalgia.
This serene yet vibrant scene became the foundation for Banago’s collection. The lineup is a love letter to her father, blending the azure hues of the tennis court with the natural beauty of the island. Patron didn’t stop there—she added deeper tones like red, black, and orange, offering a “richer option for evening events” while keeping the collection firmly rooted in the “Island Chic” aesthetic.
Crafting with a Conscience
Banago comes out as a representation of sustainability in an international context driven by fast fashion. Patron is especially happy about how the new collection incorporates environmentally responsible approaches. “Everything in the bag, including our handles, is made from natural materials like rattan wrapped with hand-woven wild grass,” she explains. This attention to detail not only increases the bags’ longevity, but also guarantees that every single thing captures the root of the natural world.
The designer has always been one to push the envelope, and this collection is no exception. She’s eager to show off the “Twice Woven Talunay Weave,” an invention she first introduced in 2015. By weaving 1-inch pieces of wild grass into a bigger shape, she developed a texture that is both distinctive and adaptable. The wide oval handles, which resemble tennis rackets, offer a humorous homage to the collection’s inspiration while efficiently merging the two worlds.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the bags, Banago’s aim has always been about people. The artisans that bring Patron’s creations to existence are the brand’s foundation, and their abilities are evident in its weave and handle. The designer partnered with many tribes to create this collection, which combines Samar banig with Abaca Pinangabol weaves from Mindanao and Bamboo skin weaves from Palawan. It’s an optimal mix of regional craftsmanship that conveys a sense of togetherness and shared heritage.
The designer’s vision for Banago remains ambitious. While the brand has made waves internationally, she’s now turning her focus to the local market, aiming to stock Banago products in 30 to 50 key retail stores across the Philippines. “Our newest market to hit, after 13 years of success in the US, Japan, and Europe, is actually here locally,” she notes, with the determination of someone who’s building a legacy.
As she looks onward, her goals for Banago are glaring: to keep creating, developing, and expanding. “The creative design process and product development stages are crucial to the business,” she states, with the zeal of someone just getting started, but having been in the field for over a decade.
Banago is founded on Renée Patron’s passion for her family, heritage, and the artisans that bring her thoughts to reality. As the designer prepares to present its collection, it’s evident that this business relies on a tradition that is connected to each component of its products, as well as its founder’s heart.
