Working with the fabric of identity, local brand Niño Franco is telling a narrative reimagined
This is an excerpt from the MEGA December 2024-January 2025 Local Love
When tradition meets reinvention, Filipino designer Wilson Limon stands out as a creative who brings together threads of culture, community, and contemporary designs. His brand NIñOFRANCO is a bridge that connects heritage with creativity. Wilson reimagines traditional garments with a fresh and contemporary take, bringing the rich vibrant stories of Mindanao’s ethnic artistry.
NIñOFRANCO’s journey started in a classroom while Limon pursued his studies at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP) and later at Philippine Women’s College (PWC). His thesis sparked an idea that eventually shaped the brand’s journey — to reinvent the traditional wear of Bagobo Tagabawa, an indigenous group in Davao.
Using modern design techniques and technology, Limon brought his own take into the traditional clothing while staying true to his heritage. The NIñOFRANCO pieces were so iconic that they sold on instagram quickly after showing his first collection, giving him the means and motivation to push through. What started with a single project is now a brand to watch for, known for its contemporary ethnic pieces that honor Mindanao’s cultural diversity.
Read more on this local brand to watch for in MEGA’s December 2024-January 2025 issue , now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Images courtesy of BELG BELGICA. All pieces by NIñOFRANCO
