From streetwear to swimwear, theseare the Filipino designers are reenvisioning the fashion world with sustainability.
Related: Where To Get This Season’s Must-Haves That Promote Sustainable Fashion
During the recent celebration of Earth Day, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the UN (United Nations) reported that we have to start cutting greenhouse gas emissions and our carbon footprint now to avoid catastrophic climate effects by 2025. However, in the Philippines, the disastrous effect of climate change throughout the years has been our everyday reality. Filipinos experience landslides, feverishly hot temperatures, and typhoons on an average of 19 to 20 per year. Rising sea levels are also threatening the country’s major cities to be submerged by water in less than three decades.
With first-hand experience of the effect of climate change, Filipino designers and consumers have long been leading the forefront of fashion sustainability. Since the fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions every year, the country’s designers have been prioritizing ethical materials and ways of production above all else.
While sustainable clothing would often conjure images of neutral color palettes and minimalist silhouettes, Filipino designers are showing the world that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to compromise bold style and innovation. Whether’s it through using natural or upcycling antique textiles, Vogue has recently featured six local brands who are proving that there are no better experts to turn to for sustainable fashion than Filipino designers.
Carl Jan Cruz
Designer and namesake brand Carl Jan Cruz has found a devoted following among some of fashion’s most important stakeholders globally all while he operates entirely in Manila. He’s best known for his unique way of referencing Filipino visual motifs. He uses fabrics such as rags sold in local open-air markets and deconstructs classic silhouettes of Filipino clothing to create something new that resonates globally.
Filip+Inna
The brand of Lenora “Len” Luisa Cabili called Filip+Inna is based on her home province the Iligan City, Mindanao. Not only does she create one-of-a-kind pieces that show the depth and integrity of Filipino fashion, but she also gives artisans from indigenous communities a global platform for their craft. She locally sources weaves and directly works with artisans of local tribes to create collections of chic contemporary clothes which sport embroidery, beading, and other embellishments.
Himaya
Mariton Villanueva creator of Himaya has always followed the belief that fashion is an intimate expression of one’s spirituality and designers are responsible for translating the beauty of nature through clothing. That’s the reason why she champions slow, alternative fashion. One of her most famous works is upcycled clothing that is tediously crafted and beautifully colored through the use of all-natural plant dyes.
Proudrace
Homegrown, contemporary brand Proudrace, has been breaking boundaries of streetwear fashion by creating trendy pieces with fabrics from clothing factories, deadstock materials thrifted from upholstery stores, and overstock from department stores going out of business. Founded by Industrial Designer Patrick Bondoc and Creative Director Rik Rasos, they have also stopped launching seasonal collections in favor of monthly small-run drops to uphold quality.
Rags2Riches
Rags2Riches (R2R) is a design house that partners with local artisans across the Philippines. Most known for their colorful handbags, they create eco-ethical fashion accessories out of upcycled, overstock cloth, and Indigenous fabrics. Their inclusive business model also ensures that they are providing a sustainable livelihood for partner community artisans. They have co-developed an artisan academy, a savings and micro-insurance program, and opportunities for full-time employment.
Toqa
Toqa’s founders Aiala Rickard and Isabel Sicat are the Filipino designers that bring the fun back in sustainability and island dressing. They manufacture sustainable high-end fashion from the tropics by transforming deadstock fabric into everyday clothing, swimwear and accessories that embody a youthful spirit and the history and folklore that make up island life.
To read the full Vogue feature, click here.
Photos by ONIN LORENTE for VOGUE.COM
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Meet The Sustainable Filipino Designers Featured In Vogue
Source: Insta News Pinoy
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