Steady processes and taking one’s own time—designer Viña Romero shares the beauty behind quiet confidence and the slow narrative of her previous collection’s second installment
This is an excerpt from MEGA’s September 2023 One To Watch feature
Viña Romero has two dreams: to be a fashion designer and a doctor. Even though the former wasn’t the traditional option, she still took fashion design and merchandising in college, eventually working as a fashion associate for a short time.
She also joined a competition where the grand prize was an all-expense paid short course in London—which she won. It was a fulfillment of her biggest dreams. Afterward, she finally decided to start her own ready-to-wear line.
“Right now, we’re still pushing for ready-to-wear, but we also do custom,” Romero says. “But, now is the best time for young individuals to be designers because everyone has been really supportive. Hindi mo na kailangang mag-custom-made on the side.”
If her namesake label could be summed up in a few words, it would be “quietly confident.” A subtle incorporation of both structured masculinity and delicate femininity—a genderless, or rather genderful, design execution. Aside from embroidery and fabric manipulation, texture is also a major factor in most of her pieces.
Romero’s current offering is a continuation of last year’s Dahan collection. All of the fabric scraps used then were reworked to create the existing pieces she has for the second release, therefore producing her signature handmade patchwork.
“It pays homage to the art of slowing down,” says Romero. “This collection embraces the beauty discovered in the unhurried journey, celebrating a mindful approach to both creativity and life itself.”
Discover Viña Romero’s slow process in making her new collection in MEGA’s August 2023 Issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
Creative Direction JONES PALTENG. Fashion Direction KAT CRUZ-VILLANUEVA and RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Beauty Direction MIA CASTRO. Photography ANDREI SULEIK. Makeup JR CONSTANTINO. Hair RAYMART ESPINA. Model ALAYNE UMALI of MERCATOR. Shot on location SEFRIYA FARM AND ORCHARD. Sittings Editor BAM ABELLON. Fashion Writer MARIAN SAN PEDRO. Production and Styling BITHIA REYES. Special thanks to RON BERNABE of SEFRIYA FARM AND ORCHARD, and MIKI MIKLAT of MERCATOR.
