From clothing to accessories, here are five local brands that are worth checking out
One of the key things that sets Filipino brands apart is their ability to blend traditional and sustainable elements with modern styles. Sometimes, they draw inspiration from their culture and reinterpret it in a fresh and contemporary way. This innovation creates a look that is both familiar and new, and has proven to be popular among fashion enthusiasts.
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This aspect that makes Filipino brands stand out also allows them to produce creations out of new materials, silhouettes, and techniques. If you’re on the hunt for new designs that feature sustainability, intricate beadwork, and the unconventional, check out these five brands that will surely align with your standards.
Pilmico upcycled polo
The Pilmico upcycled polo is a sustainable fashion piece from Frankie General Store. This marketplace consists of curated sustainable goods made by a passionate community of homegrown artisans with the vision to turn their craft into a calling, one that entails reaching out to more individuals who share a similar desire to help our planet.
As a fashion enthusiast, Kathryn Bernardo is known as someone who focuses on timeless pieces that do not adhere to trends. Thus, she played a powerful role in letting others notice the beauty of the Pilmico Upcycled Polo after she was seen sporting the eco-friendly piece made from used flour sacks and coconut shells during the soft opening event of Isla Amara. The innovative product features a Pilmico sack that was repurposed into a timeless design with a versatile style that can be worn for multiple seasons and occasions.
Ines midi slip dress
Established in 2016, Anika prides itself on being a Filipino lifestyle brand built on wearable and evergreen keepsakes. The brand was founded by a fashion design graduate Anika Martinez, who completed her studies at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Anika returned home right after graduating and started her own eponymous fashion line.
Her brand features contemporary clothing with a relaxed and casual aesthetic, and one of her best-loved designs is the Ines midi slip dress that has a fitted shift silhouette with multi-styled straps. It can be layered over a shirt or sweater for a more casual look, paired with sneakers for a daytime look, or with heels and statement jewelry for a night out. The slip dress is also a great option for transitional seasons, as it can be worn alone in the summer or layered with a cardigan in the cooler months.
As Anika stands firm in style, substance, and slow fashion, its core values as an innovative brand will always be to empower its wearers inside and out.
Baúl bags
There is no doubt that the Philippines has a rich history of craftsmanship in fashion that is worth celebrating. Our country has a long tradition of making unique products from scratch, which is evident in the intricate beading and embroidery seen on traditional Filipino garments like native bags—a work of art done by many local brands.
One prime example of a modern fashion name that is keeping the tradition of Filipino craftsmanship alive is BAÚL. It offers a range of bags made out of colorful beads, which take inspiration from mat weaving. It showcases the unique techniques of the Philippines, preserving cultural heritage while championing new materials into modern fashion design.
Unconventional feminine clothing
Another Filipino fashion designer who delivers a promising vision through her brand, Clio DL, is Clio De Leon. She started her fashion career after her brand concept, Whisper of the Heart, surfaced in several reports online. After winning the Best Brand Concept Award for her debut collection, the De La Salle College of St. Benilde graduate opted to pave her way into the industry with her custom-made and ready-to-wear ensembles. One of her recent lookbooks is the Ataxary collection that includes dresses and coordinated clothing made out of bespoke textile prints. Meanwhile, the crystal-embellished vest with a beaded skirt in a minimalist hue is definitely a stand-out from the collection.
Sago shoulder bag
Callie Ahmee, the daughter of award-winning actress Dimples Romana, is a 17-year-old entrepreneur with an eye for fashion. Cal the Brand, which is her own start-up brand, is designed as an accessible platform for young people to discover pieces created by local designers. According to Callie, she is responsible for the brand’s design development, marketing, and sales.
Dedicated to making her desire a reality and filled with her love for rattan, Cal the Brand has launched one of its most innovative and chic designs in the market: the Sago shoulder bag. Sago has a round-shaped body connected to a monochromatic textile handle, giving the hobo bag a modern and indigenous feel. New-gen celebrities like Karina Bautista and Sue Ramirez support this local store, wearing the bags as the highlight of their casual OOTDs.
