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The Filipino Design Studio: Proudly made in the Philippines | Philstar.com
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The Filipino Design Studio: Proudly made in the Philippines

Anna Martelino - The Philippine Star
The Filipino Design Studio: Proudly made in the Philippines
Hip to be square: Rurungan sa Tubod top

MANILA, Philippines — It’s back and bigger than ever! Kultura Filipino Design Studio: Made in the Philippines edition returns this May 2 to 9 at Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall.

The event is a welcoming, community-based space that fosters connections between like-minded brands dedicated to celebrating Filipino culture. The biggest Filipino Design Studio to date is bringing together over 70 guest brands, house labels, and social enterprises. With a focus on all things Pinoy, from Barong Tagalog and modern Filipiniana to resort wear, pearls and accessories, tropical home decor and wellness essentials, explore new, up-and-coming brands alongside familiar favorites.

As they continue to highlight products with a purpose, they’ve selected numerous brands based on their commitment to environmentally friendly practices and support for local artisan communities.  Social enterprise Hibla PH offers a range of apparel made from authentic Philippine textiles while also hosting workshops focused on activities like upcycling accessories and bracelet weaving. Another example is Ruyág Native Products Manufacturing, which employs Bicolano artisans who handcraft bags using natural materials to leave a smaller carbon footprint. Home decor and furniture brand Likha+Mundo scouts small, “mom-and-pop” craft businesses from around the nation, giving them a larger platform to share their creations.

This season’s lineup is also set to feature handmade jewelry by Virtucio Fashion Designs and Mjorian; Filipiniana-inspired pieces by Raquel’s Piña Cloth Products, C&C Lifestyle, and Handwoven Beauty; home essentials by Woven, Dwellbeing, and WIX Cozy Homes.

Slow fashion: Denim ensemble from Brave Story

Guest brands include Adela Puls, a handcrafted bag brand embracing slow fashion; Amber & Anne, colorful embroidered placemats and coasters for every occasion; And Again Clothing, fashionable apparel sustainably made from upcycled flour sacks, scraps, and surplus fabric; Binibini Marikit, everyday apparel inspired by Filipino heritage and folklore; Brave Story, a lifestyle brand that embraces slow fashion, creating apparel from repurposed local textiles in limited quantities; D’Bayong Art Gallery, vibrant pandan bayong bags handpainted by local artists; Ethnique, colorful, trendy beachwear and bags; Idyllic Summers, handmade apparel inspired by European and East Asian garments by weavers in Abra and Iloilo; Lily Jewelry, dainty jewelry inspired by travel, nature, artisans’ stories, and craftsmanship of various cultures; Macopa, trendy, one-of-a-kind apparel sustainably made from upcycled flour sacks; Masabel Iloco, Ilocano apparel and accessories made with abel weave patterns; Mjorian, handmade, island-inspired jewelry featuring semi-precious stones and pearls; and Ziya Style, statement outerwear and tropical-themed apparel.

Handcrafted bags from Adela Puls, a brand embracing slow fashion

House brands include A-M and Ayesha Gemstones, authentic freshwater pearl and gemstone jewelry; Agsam Fashion Fern, handwoven accessories by indigenous weavers using agsam, a fern plant native to Surigao del Sur; Anmari & Co., handcrafted bags made from natural materials such as buntal, tikog, raffia, and rattan; Asnie, classic South Sea and genuine freshwater pearl jewelry; Asron, elegantly designed authentic freshwater pearl jewelry; Aurea Pearl, authentic, premium-quality South Sea pearl jewelry in classic designs; Auro Chocolate, award-winning, tree-to-bar chocolate featuring unique Filipino flavors; Barong Filipino, traditional and modern Barong Tagalog by a family-owned enterprise; Barong Lumban, traditional and modern Barongs, from corporate wear to coat Barongs; Berches Barong, laser-cut and embroidered modern Barongs; Berches Filipiniana, laser-cut and embroidered modern Filipiniana; Boho Manila, vibrant, bohemian-inspired statement jewelry handcrafted by Filipina mothers; CacaoMistry, an instant cacao drink developed by a chemist-mom, including sugar-free and plant-based options; Cocoa Monster, Philippine-made cocoa products including tablea, dried fruit dipped in chocolate, and cocoa powder; Cocobody, natural personal care products made with virgin coconut oil; Dermtropics, organic, sustainably packaged personal care products made with virgin coconut oil; Destileria Barako, a craft distillery best known for international, award-winning ube cream liquor; Eva Marie Arts & Crafts, colorful handmade bags crafted from tikog reeds; First Botanicals, natural personal care products supporting local coconut and calamansi farmers; Flutter Statement Jewelry, larger-than-life, luxury statement jewelry; For Keeps Clean Beauty, body care essentials made with botanical ingredients and high-quality essential oils; Global Filipina, traditional and modern Filipiniana, from terno boleros to silk cocoon dresses; Gourmet Farms, organically farmed coffee, tea, and healthy chip alternatives; Haspe Design Studio, home items and decor sustainably crafted from excess wood and locally sourced materials; Hijo/La Obra, resort wear for men and women in classic, earth-toned colors; Intricado, vibrant, resort-ready clothing featuring tropical prints and unique silhouettes; Islas Filipinas, a resort-wear line for men and women featuring tops with handwoven accents and embroidered polo shirts; Jhaz Footwear, abaca footwear with unique designs made by a family-owned enterprise based in Laguna; Kaffea, coffee and chocolate drinks sweetened with low-glycemic coconut sugar; Kangkong King, the nation’s first ever flavored kangkong chips; Kara De Juan, ethically made accessories upcycled from discarded carabao horn; Karne Liston Kawali, litson kawali chips, including classic and keto-friendly flavors; Khai Asia Pearls, genuine freshwater and South Sea pearl jewelry in modern designs; LJ Pearls, stylish South Sea and freshwater pearl accessories; Maison Grid Plus, Filipino-designed dinnerware and home accessories inspired by nature; Malagos Chocolate, premium, award-winning chocolates sourced from Davao; Mayumi, Filipiniana formal wear and handwoven tops; My Gems, semi-precious stone and pearl jewelry made for layering; Nuevo Ystilo, modern Filipiniana made using traditional techniques and natural dyes; Our Little Ideas, towels and blankets made by weaving communities in Bicol using traditional techniques on antique looms; Rurungan sa Tubod, a Palawan-based nonprofit teaching underserved women piña and cotton weaving technology; SaBroso Tsokolate, artisanal chocolate products crafted using cacao beans sourced from Camiguin; Salbahe Chili, flavored peanuts, chili oil, and spicy snacks; Simoy ng Haraya, small-batch personal care and home essentials such as candles, reed diffusers, and room sprays; Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates, high-quality chocolate in distinctive Pinoy flavors, crafted from Davao cacao beans; Tygie, colorful modern Filipiniana, including wrap blouses, organza skirts, and dresses; Yasira IL Magnifica, authentic South Sea pearl jewelry sourced from Palawan; and Yoga Love, mindfully made personal care and wellness products that use naturally derived ingredients.

Arm candy: Bags from Ruyag Native Products Manufacturing

Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio will be held from May 2 to 9 at Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA corner Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Learn more about the event on @KulturaFilipino Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

KULTURA

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