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Press & Other Stories

MANTLE: Conscious Living is at the Core of this Year’s Revamped ArteFino Festival

With more than 150 brands celebrating culture, craft, community, and a conscious lifestyle, ArteFino makes a triumphant return to (physical) form. The past two years have underscored the missions that ArteFino has established for itself back in 2017: to inspire an elevated yet responsible lifestyle; to gather like-minded brands, artisans, and consumers; and to honor craft, culture, and conscious living—all for a more mindful life and greener planet. This year, the celebrated trade fair returns triumphantly at the Power Plant Mall. From August 25 to September 28, 2022, ArteFino will showcase over 150 local brands, 44 of which are joining for the first time. Each week will introduce a new roster of labels across fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, home, and children’s wear. A special section that is also making a much-anticipated return is The Barracks, a space for men’s lifestyle selections. Style savant, heritage fan maker, and advisor Monchet Olives takes pride in this year’s lineup, which follows the theme “Easy Living.” Expect a combination of established and emerging brands such as Pinagtagpi, Kelvin Morales, Lakat, and more—all presenting their interpretation of casual and contemporary style for everyday Filipino dressing. Commerce, Culture, and Community The ladies behind ArteFino, Susie Quiros, Marimel Francisco, Mita Rufino, Maritess Pineda, and Cedie Lopez-Vargas, look forward to five weeks’ worth of reconnections, cultural exchange, creative engagement, and responsible shopping. “Since we launched in 2017, ArteFino has taken on a life of its own. We’ve worked with many emerging brands and designers, all of whom have grown with us. We’ve followed their journeys and evolved with them. [Still,] we are constantly on the lookout for new talents to showcase,” the founders note. “Almost 40% of our vendors this year are new. It speaks of the emergence of social enterprises and a deeper understanding of what sustainable living is all about. This year’s roster will show the many layers of responsible retailing, [which] include going hyperlocal and employing fair trade practices,” adds Francisco. In selecting the labels for this year’s fair, the founders took note of brand narratives, purpose, and links to the community. “We want our vendors to succeed and be prepared for a global market. This is why apart from the product, we also look into their purpose [and] vision,” elaborates Lopez-Vargas. Renew, Repurpose, Recycle ArteFino also takes pride in interactive programs that will amplify the call for upcycling and sustainability. Last July 9, they opened a call to engage creators—vendors and non-vendors alike—and provide them a platform to showcase innovative ways of repurposing everyday materials otherwise discarded. The show and awarding for the fair’s first-ever #UpcyclingDesignChallenge will be held this September. Other festival highlights that will connect creators and consumers include “Eats by Artefino,” a collaborative effort with The Seven Pantry which will feature the country’s best flavors. A dedicated soundtrack curated by Tarsier Records will bring a piece of the ArteFino festival to everyone’s personal playlist. More activities will be unveiled in the coming days. “As in the past, we always aim to bring something new. This being that year that we step out again, we hope to create an experience where everyone can immerse with the community,” the founders conclude. Read the original article by Gelo Dionara here: https://www.mantlemagazine.com/index.php/2022/08/05/conscious-living-is-at-the-core-of-this-years-revamped-artefino-festival/

BLUPRINT: ArteFino Celebrates Conscious Lifestyle with Young Designers And New Brands

ArteFino is set to celebrate culture, craft, community, and conscious lifestyle showcasing a wide range of local products from young designers and new brands. ArteFino Festival is back this year with new home-grown brands and designers to showcase. This year’s roster of fresh talents will present their interpretations of the call to “renew, recycle, and reuse.” Unlike the previous years, the event will feature over 150 brands and will run for five weeks starting on August 25, 2022 at the ground floor of the Powerplant Mall. ArteFino aims to inspire an elevated yet responsible lifestyle. It is a community that honors craft, culture, and conscious living. Founders, Susie Quiros, Marimel Francisco, Mita Rufino, Maritess Pineda, and Cedie Lopez-Vargas, have always believed in creating an inclusive platform for local brands to tell their inspiring stories since its first artisanal trade fair in 2017. The Festival will introduce new local labels across the categories of fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, home, and children’s wear each week. While most products cater to women, men can also enjoy the event through a special section called Barracks, which is a curated space for them to lounge, shop, and sip on local artisanal brews. Marimel shares, “We wanted to cater to an underserved mens market.” Cedie adds, “Barracks has been around since 2018 and was created to invite men to be part of this movement. This year, the theme for Barracks will be easy living.” In a conversation during the Press Preview event, Cedie shared with BluPrint how supporting artisanal products makes the purchase more meaningful. Events like ArteFino create a strong local awareness and consciousness through the products displayed. This encourages Filipinos to support local artisans, local economy, and boost small and micro industries in the country. Cedie and Marimel reminisce, “Since we launched in 2017, ArteFino has taken on a life of its own.” Throughout the years, they’ve launched countless local labels and designers. “We’ve worked with many emerging brands and designers, all of whom have grown with us. We’ve followed their journeys and evolved with them,” shares Cedie. Even then, Marimel maintains that, “We are constantly on the lookout for new talents to showcase.” Marimel continues, “Almost 40% of our vendors this year are new. It speaks of the emergence of social enterprises and a deeper understanding of what sustainable living is all about. This year’s lineup will show the many layers of responsible retailing that includes going hyperlocal and employing fair trade practices.” Some of the brands and designers to expect at the event include Katha Pilipinas, Pinagtagpi, Christian Cera, Camille Villanueva, and Kelvin Morales, among others. Photos courtesy of Ed Simon Read the original article by Rick Formalejo here: https://bluprint.onemega.com/artefino-celebrates-conscious-lifestyle-with-young-designers-and-new-brands/

LIFESTYLE ASIA: Responsible Shopping: Is There Such A Thing? ArteFino Says Yes

This year’s festival is a five-week celebration of culture, craft, community, and conscious lifestyles. Since its first artisanal trade fair in 2017, founders Susie Quiros, Marimel Francisco, Mita Rufino, Maritess Pineda, and Cedie Lopez-Vargas, have always believed in creating an inclusive platform for local brands to tell their inspiring stories. For Fransisco, responsible shopping is “making purchases that positively impact, however big or small, in uplifting lives of those that created the products.” When asked what challenges they face she says, “Fast fashion! These are produced quickly and at low costs. That’s the opposite of artisanal items wherein each piece is unique and takes time to create.” She adds, “What I do is mix and match my outfits…but I can assure you one piece is always artisanal-whether it be my shoes, bag, earrings, top, or skirt.” Lopez-Vargas speaks about how the pandemic has caused us to reevaluate our lives and our values and has this to say about the Filipino contemporary lifestyle: “What do we value the most? Paring down your life to the basics, what’s essential, what’s relevant, and what makes the most sense for you to buy, finding advocacies and items that are meaningful, purposeful, and sustainable that contribute to mitigating climate change and lessening your carbon foot print. These are the undercurrents of how we choose the brands we are advocating in ArteFino.” Five weeks, 150 brands, 44 new designers For this year’s ArteFino Festival, more than 150 brands will be showcased in a span of five weeks. Each week will introduce a new roster of labels across the categories of fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, home, and children’s wear. A special section called Barracks will also be set up as a curated space for men to lounge, shop, and sip on local artisanal brews. Fransisco shares, “We wanted to cater to an underserved mens market.” Lopez-Vargas adds, “Barracks has been around since 2018 and was created to invite men to be part of this movement. This year, the theme for Barracks will be easy living.” The Festival will also introduce 44 new designers and brands, each one hand picked by the ladies behind ArteFino. Brand narratives, purpose, and links to community, are considerations that factor into the selection of vendors. Lopez-Vargas elaborates, “We want our vendors to succeed and we want them to be prepared for a global market. This is why apart from the product, we also look into their purpose, vision.” Fransisco continues, “Almost 40% of our vendors this year are new. It speaks of the emergence of social enterprises and a deeper understanding of what sustainable living is all about. This year’s roster will show the many layers of responsible retailing that include going hyperlocal and employing fair trade practices.” Renew, repurpose, recycle Interactive programs were intended to amplify the movement’s call to “renew, repurpose, and recycle.” The Maker’s Challenge, for instance, focuses on the innovative ways by which creators can upcycle everyday materials otherwise discarded. “It is an open call for anyone who wishes to create–vendors and non-vendors alike,” clarified the organizers. The festival will also set the stage for pocket events and workshops. These open more doors and avenues for both creators and consumers to connect. Five senses are awakened through other festival highlights that round up the experience. Eats by Artefino, a collaborative effort with The Seven Pantry, will whet appetites with the best local flavors. A dedicated soundtrack curated by Tarsier Records will bring a piece of the ArteFino festival to everyone’s personal playlist. In addition, Fransisco shares that the most rewarding aspect of this endeavor has been advocating for “mindfully made, thoughtfully chosen” as a shopping habit. What’s rewarding is that more and more, over time, a broader market has come to appreciate the intrinsic benefits of responsible shopping: patronizing brands which inject environmentally conscious methods into their designs and production.” When asked about the big dream behind ARTEFINO, she shares, “The big dream is for artisanal crafts to be an inherent part in a Filipino’s life and style. That our local products can compete on a global scale and be recognized for its craftsmanship. That all Filipinos patronize local brands in all aspects of their lives.” Read the original article by Mawi Fojas De Ocampo here: https://lifestyleasia.onemega.com/responsible-shopping-is-there-such-a-thing-artefino-says-yes/

PHILSTAR: Fresh young designers and new brands in ArteFino

ArteFino is an event that makes my patriotic heart flutter. Here is where I find refreshing products made with a distinct Filipino heart and soul. It makes me feel good that there is such an event with nobility of purpose. “It’s a movement that inspires an elevated yet responsible lifestyle. It is a shared experience that binds like-minded brands, makers and consumers. ArteFino is a community that honors craft, culture and conscious living,” the founders explain. Starting as an artisanal trade fair in 2017, ArteFino is now a platform for local brands to tell their inspiring stories. Founders Susie Quiros, Marimel Francisco, Mita Rufino, Maritess Pineda and Cedie Lopez-Vargas know that ArteFino is all about bonding. Cedie and Marimel say that since its launching, ArteFino has taken on a life of its own. “We’ve worked with many emerging brands and designers, all of whom have grown with us. We’ve followed their journeys and evolved with them. At the same time, we are constantly on the lookout for new talents. This year, a total of 150 brands will be showcased in five weeks, from Aug. 25 to Sept. 28 at Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall. Each week will feature a different set of labels in fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, home and children’s wear. “A special section called Barracks will be a curated space for men to lounge, shop and sip on artisanal brews,” says Marimel. “The men’s market has been underserved, so we want to invite men to be part of this movement,” declares Cedie, who adds that this year’s theme will be easy living. “This festival will also introduce 44 new designers and brands,” says Cedie. “We want our vendors to succeed and be prepared for the global market. So, aside from their products, we also look into their purpose and vision.” Marimel continues: “Almost 40 percent of our vendors this year are new. It speaks of the emergence of social enterprises and a deeper understanding of what sustainable living is all about. We show the many layers of responsible retailing that include going hyper-local and employing fair-trade practices.” Now you know that ArteFino is not just about selling goods. It is more about making sure that “Made in the Philippines” is now said with pride and joy. Read the original article by Milett M. Mananquil here: https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/fashion-and-beauty/2022/08/03/2199776/fresh-young-designers-and-new-brands-artefino

PHTATLER: ArteFino Brings Filipino Craftmanship To The Digital Space With Power Plant Mall

The retail industry was among the sectors that received the most dreadful blow of COVID-19. Luckily, the modern world offers online platforms where business establishments continue to connect with their most loyal customers.

BWORLD: All is fair with ArteFino

The popular fair whose theme is “mindfully made, thoroughly chosen” goes online

PREVIEW: Shop Our Fashion Picks from Artisanal Brands at Artefino Online

The local selling event is now a year-long affair.

PHILSTAR: The home as new normal sanctuary—the Artefino way

A dog bed made out of rattan, handcrafted desk organizers and all manner of plantita porn — even a wraparound planter for “plant pets” too heavy to carry — are just a few of the myriad Filipino items you’ll find at the new ShopArteFino.com.

Here Are 18 Of Our Top Fashion Picks From Artefino’s Virtual Fair

The shopping experience today is even more elevated and feels more intimate. Case in point: the Artefino Virtual Fair in partnership with Metro Shop Live! The Artefino fair has been championing Filipino craftsmanship in the fields of Home, Art, and Fashion by providing a platform to highlight these impeccably made products

Artefino swaps physical fair with online store

Artefino, the annual fair that showcases Filipino-made products, launched its online platform Shopartefino yesterday.

ArteFino Fair Is Now Online, So You Can Now Shop Filipino-Style Clothing & Accessories From Local Brands At Home

By Addie Pobre on thesmartlocal.com --- ArteFino goes online As social distancing is now the norm, public gatherings have been put to a halt with some establishments such as our favorite local bars in Metro Manila even closing down for good. Fortunately, some local designers and communities that once sold their products in person are getting a chance to display their products online, thanks to the ArteFino community which holds an annual fair of fashionable products from clothes to accessories. Formerly held as a 3-day annual event at Rockwell Center from 2017 to 2019, the ArteFino fair is now online this year. This means we can now shop items from various local brands – such as Linea Etnika, ANTHILL, Tan Gan, and Wear Your Culture – any time we fancy some online shopping. Shop protective wear, dresses, tops, bags, and more ArteFino’s website includes an array of products to choose from, from protective wear to dresses to tops to bags, and more. Currently, around 45 local brands are selling their products – and expect more items to come in the succeeding weeks and months. You can start looking at their items from their protective wear designed with a cheeky take on social distancing measures. Casa Mercedes x Monchet y Compania’s No Beso Beso Big Fan, imprinted with the text “No Beso Beso” (no hugging), and mask are tropicana-themed items (P1,150, ~USD23.63) that are a perfect addition to your collection of tita accessories during COVID-19. The Wrap Around Dress (P4,800, ~USD98.62) from Happy Andrada would make a perfect upgrade of your usual pambahay outfit while you work or study at home. The comfy dress from the brand’s artisans of Lumban, Laguna is hand-embroidered with cute icons of street vendors we usually see in the streets before the pandemic. It also comes with a matching mask and headband to complete your at-home look. Hand-embroidered by the women of the T’boli from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Niño Franco’s T’boli Round Neck Shirt (P4,500, ~USD92.46) is a good choice for gents who want to add a touch of local to their collection of casual plain t-shirts. The stitches on the shirt are inspired by the Kegal Nesif of the T’boli tribe, characterized by geometrical designs derived from nature such as flowers, the sun, and leaves. You can support the craft makers of Marawi by purchasing the Marawi Euro Card Holder (P850, ~USD17.46) from GW by Great Women that comes in different color combinations and patterns. The card holder is made up of genuine leather adorned with handwoven cotton textile. Surprise your mom with Allena’s Banyan Zumi Bag (P1,800, ~USD36.98) that can carry everyday essentials. It’s made up of 95% cotton and 5% polyester, knitted with the patterns of Intarsia and Jacquard knitting techniques. They also ship worldwide As ArteFino’s partners are located all over the Philippines, delivery time may vary by brand. But you can expect your orders to arrive 3 to 5 working days after you confirm your payment. If you want to send items as Christmas gifts to a loved one abroad, you can do so as well as they also ship worldwide. You can learn more about the latest line-up of products from ArteFino from their live virtual sale happening from 16th to 18th October 2020. Supporting Filipino artisans online ArteFino is a community of Filipino artists and entrepreneurs who create local crafts and fashion products available for anyone looking to support our country’s own creators. Says co-founder Mel Francisco, “I would like for the world to take notice of what our country has to offer in terms of artisanal goods, and for Filipinos to take pride in these goods and use them in their everyday lives.” Supporting local businesses during COVID-19 ArteFino comes just in time for the Christmas gift-shopping season, when local, unique products will certainly stand out from regular mass-market gifts. Beyond getting what we pay for, supporting local artisans also helps our communities sustain their livelihood during these challenging times. Original article published on: https://thesmartlocal.com/philippines/artefino-online/

ArteFino Reimagined: A New Filipino Artisanal Experience Online

By Bianca Salonga on forbes.com, October 15, 2020 --- Year after year, Manila’s well heeled has looked forward to the annual ArteFino Artisanal Fair. Typically held at the Rockwell Center every August, it has been highly regarded as a game changers in celebrating and elevating Philippine artisanship, craft and creativity. More than a fashion shopping event, it has evolved to become a social movement where taste makers and early adaptors gathered to show support for mindfully-made and beautifully edited local wares. Regulars of this event were not there to simply indulge in retail therapy. They blocked off their calendars each year to connect with likeminded consumers, makers, traders and designers to express a shared love for all that is consciously and proudly Filipino. As with all other industries across the globe, ArteFino and its partner brand had to be quick about re-thinking its survival plan. Sales in fashion and retail dropped, consequently challenging the traditional model of relying on brick and mortar shops and fairs for profit. For artisan enterprises working mostly with communities in remote places, production and transport were key concerns. Without new products, there would be no profit. And without the resources, there was no way that more items could be created. Mita Rufino, co-founder of ArteFino begins: “This put many craftsmen I dire straits.” Throughout the years, ArteFino’s draw expanded to include over 100 exhibitors and visitors of up to 4,000 shoppers. In an unprecedented era of social distancing and home quarantines, there was simply no way that this set up would work. Maritess Pineda, who is one of the visionaries behind the fair emphasizes, “The show must go on. We will never waiver from our commitment to the Filipino spirit, with products that capture the soul of the makers.” Prime movers behind the event—Mita Rufino, Maritess Pineda, Marimel Francisco, Cedie Lopez Vargas and Susie Quiros—went back to the drawing table to delibearate, reassess and recalibrate. The team recalls: “We decided to launch ArteFino in a purely digital platform… It was clear to us that the focus moving forward is to shift our efforts online—SHOPARTEFINO.COM” Marimel Francisco shares that it took around five months from inception before the new platform was built. “We had talked about building a website early in 2020. Because of the pandemic, these plans were catapulted,” she said. Behind-the-scenes of this new digital model, the team spoke with each brand partner to discuss exclusive items for the website. “We wanted to find out which of the makers could come up with a collection for the website. Some had production issues while others encountered delays in transportation,” Marimel recalls. A total of 45 brands will be launched today with the website, with more new items coming in throughout the succeeding weeks. Thoughtful Lifestyle at SHOPARTEFINO.COM Curating local wares for a digital platform in the age of a pandemic required foresight and in-depth understanding of the markets both new and old. The team recognized that within the digital realm, the consumer experience will be entirely different. What once worked within the context of an vibrant artisanal fair, no longer applied when connecting with clients from the other end of a screen. Founders also considered factors like function, quality and value for money. They were keen on tuning into a new set of sensitivities characteristic of a wider audience in the middle of a crisis. “Great focus was given to products that were essential, and supported by the concept of circular economy. Items that resonate living out the new normal,” points our Cedie Lopez-Vargas. Environmental impact and social responsibility were also crucial components that continued to tie partner brands to ArteFino. These remained non- negotiables, defining the mindful lifestyle that ArteFino founders had intended to purvey. The ArteFino Experience At Your Fingertips “The ArteFino experience will always be unique as products remain responsibly and locally crafted, directly impacting the livelihood of communities all over the country,” declared the team. The curating process, a strength forged by ArteFino founders since they held their first event, will be seamlessly translated online via four categories on the website: Home + Living, Fashion, Accessories, Protective Wear. Instead of a four-day event, the platform will now be accessible to a bigger demographic 24/7. With logistics for international shipping in place, ArteFino will also be able to dispatch orders from various parts of the globe. Price points, too, have been adjusted, “with majority of the range priced at P5,000 ($100) and below.” Throughout the year, new items will be launched on the website. This new dynamic gives makers the opportunity not only to develop and manufacture products, it also provides accurate insights on consumer behavior. The online platform has also been coded to include a chat box, where buyers can connect with ArteFino’s shopping concierge. Susie Quiros, who has been with ArteFino since day one, confesses, “The idea of giving up on a physical fair was extremely difficult, but this lockdown meant for us to move away from the usually busy mall experience as consumers focused on what we remain as our key factor – supporting local and independent businesses/artisans.” Navigating this new retail ecosystem may throw in a few unexpected twists and turns especially for the ladies of ArteFino. Their shared commitment to supporting the local Philippine community, however, will always as their north star. Original article published on: https://www.forbes.com/sites/biancasalonga/2020/10/15/artefino-reimagined-a-new-filipino-artisanal-experience-online/

ArteFino online fair goes live this week and almost everything is P5,000 or less

Good news for fans of the annual artisan fair and early Christmas shoppers: you won’t have to go out to support local makers and it won’t burn your pocket either

BEINGMAG: ArteFino Celebrates Filipino Craftsmanship Through New Digital Global Platform

ArteFino, the annual artisanal fair, boldly returns amidst the pandemic. From the sprawling “The Fifth” at Rockwell, the event takes on its commitment to supporting local artisans with a shift to on-line with shopartefino.com. The new shopping experience allows buyers from anywhere around the globe to access these thoughtfully chosen pieces anytime. It is a one-stop shop for Filipino craftmanship, 24/7 that will continuously be refreshed.

ArteFino Redefines The Bazaar Experience With Metro’s ShopLive And ShopArteFino.com

Experience this anticipated annual bazaar of unique local gifts, homeware and fashion brands from the safety of your homes

ArteFino Expresses Tribute and Thanks Through Tanging Yaman Foundation Donation

With the health crisis and consecutive typhoons, 2020 was undeniably a tough year for the Philippines. But despite the struggles and defeats, the values of connection and collaboration persisted in the hearts and minds of every Filipino. From the safety of our homes, one way or another, we have become strong witnesses to the bayanihan spirit that our fellow countrymen had courageously shown. So, last December, we decided to extend our “Ilaw at Pag-asa” (light and hope) campaign with another fundraising effort, “Handog at Pasasalamat” (tribute and thanks). We celebrated the season of giving by donating a percentage of the proceeds of every item sold on our site to the Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc. and the artisanal communities that crafted each product. Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 1992 which has evolved from being an annual liturgical concert to being a conduit foundation, bridging the generosity of countless Filipinos here and abroad to the vital needs of their fellow men and women in the Philippines. Part of its objectives is to address the needs of the environment and elevate the livelihood of the Filipino people. With a mission towards building a more sustainable and circular economy, we also felt compelled to contribute our share towards other issues of national concern, such as the effects of climate change which continues to endanger long term food sustainability, which affects us all. Choosing Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc. as our beneficiary, we hoped to address the livelihood and support needs of marginalized agricultural communities, like farmers and workers, who till some of the critical areas of our country’s largest food sources. Sustainable farming is important because it aims to provide real food that our bodies were designed to eat, are healthier for us, the soil, and the animals; does not harm the environment, are humane for both the workers and the animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer without the use of government subsidies, and supports the local economy instead of large corporations. Aside from food sustainability, waste management is another critical factor that adds to the climate change crisis. By supporting our brand partners and local products, we are limiting the production of waste as well as the consumption of additional resources that businesses need to operate. If we keep designing waste out of the system, it will not only heal the environment, but also increase economic opportunities for our local communities. Beyond showcasing the unique and brilliant works of our very own artisans and craftsmen, this campaign has emphasized our unity as organizations and individuals, locally and globally. Our partnership with the Tanging Yaman Foundation in particular has combined the intensity of our shared belief in the power of community and helping one another—that what we can contribute may sometimes not be much in the ordinary sense, however, it is still able to affect significant change in the lives of the least of our fellowmen and women.

Uplifting Local Communities Through Upcycling

For decades, individuals, groups, and businesses have struggled to lessen their contribution to the “trash crisis.” With the continuous growth of our population, it would only be a matter of time before we reach peak garbage. But we don’t really have to go there, do we? Many of you may be familiar with the 3 R’s of waste management: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Well, upcycling is a different story, and it is said to have the ability to save our planet from dying soon. Upcycling is the process of using products we consider as waste and giving them a new life and higher value. Unlike recycling, this can be done without breaking down the components of a certain item, decreasing the amount of resources we need for production and the waste that we discard. By practicing this, we help heal our environment by cutting down on air and water pollution, landfill use, and even greenhouse gas emissions. Upcycling does not only reduce the production costs of businesses, but it also allows us to create, imagine, and innovate, producing more inventive and traditional items in return. It can also pave the way for businesses to uplift and support local and rural industries by giving them livelihood opportunities which they can sustain and develop for the present and future generations to come. Nowadays, more brands are adopting this practice and we are incredibly proud to call them our vision partners: ANTHILL Fabric Since it started in 2010, ANTHILL has continuously pursued a path to creativity and sustainability. Noticing the growth of textile waste from their end, they started practicing upcycling and circular fashion to champion ways to help the environment. With the Argao Weaving Community as their partner, they were able to upcycle 2.5 kilos of scrap handwoven fabrics for every meter of new upcycled or zero-waste weave. Honoring the beauty and craft of weaving and giving value to Mother Earth, they launched their first zero-waste clothing collection called “PAMANA.” SHOP ANTHILL FABRIC GALLERY HERE NVC Foundation “From trash to treasure!” That is NVC Foundation’s battle cry when dealing with the big monster of garbage polluting the earth. Over the years, they have relentlessly worked to reduce waste by upcycling coffee capsules to produce earrings, ornaments, and mosaic napkin rings to utilizing broken ceramic tiles, pulverized eggshells, and sometimes broken capiz shells to create unique pieces. Recently, they also made use of scraps from 17,040 PPE gowns that they made and distributed to medical front liners to produce the “Star of Hope.” Time and time again, they have always proven that upcycling cannot only bring out the most charming and elegant pieces that you can wear and design your homes with, but it can also help the environment. SHOP NVC FOUNDATION HERE Zapateria The upcycling journey of Zapateria began in 2019 when all-around designer, Maco Custodio, sought its help in creating his comeback shoe collection. Using materials such as hand-woven scraps of pre-consumed foil, the Lalapatos collection came to fruition. From then, Zapateria has continued to collaborate with shoemakers and designers to promote the importance of upcycling through the products they put out. One example would be their casual sneaker named “Gomer,” which was created with upcycled bicycle interior and cartier rubbers, all locally sourced. SHOP ZAPATERIA HERE Two Chic Two Chic’s answer to the amount of waste created by the fashion industry was to dig into their inventory and reuse scraps of old fabric and extra materials they had on hand. From using upcycled raw bias strips sewn into different designs to cutting up and stitching lace together from both current and old embroidered patches, their upcycled concept makes for fun and innovative designs. Last year, they partnered with ArteFino and launched a collection of dresses and blouses made with fabric scraps and embroidery materials. Their items are all made by the brand’s community of sewers, all of whom are the breadwinners for their respective families. SHOP TWO CHIC HERE Risque Designs A storyteller of design, Risque Designs went beyond creativity and adopted environmental sustainability with the help of numerous communities in the country. Each exuberantly colored and designed footwear from Risque Designs are handmade using woven fabric and upcycled thread by the artisan weavers from the municipality of Buhi, Camarines Sur, and assembled by expert shoemakers from Marikina. With quarantine regulations in place, they recently started accepting made-to-orders of their home/bedroom slippers, using scraps of their local weaves to make staying at home more comfy and trendy. SHOP RIQUE DESIGNS HERE Pulido Typhoons usually leave us a feeling of hopelessness, but Pulido has found a way to bring light to the darkness. Aside from empowering women and artisans, Pulido never forgets to show its dedication in preserving the beauty of creation by using reclaimed or upcycled wood in all of their pieces. They turn fallen branches and trunks into classic and elegant home decor and other essentials. After the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, they immediately went to work and started cleaning, scraping, sanding, and carving wooden materials into intricate pieces like charcuterie or serving boards, which are all perfect for the holidays. SHOP PULIDO HERE Commonsense Studio The value of sustainability has always been at the forefront of Commonsense Studio, and you can see that through their upcycled products. From placemats and trays to desk organizers and planters, they made sure to creatively bring life to materials most people already consider as waste. To minimize carbon footprint, they have used scraps and off-cuts of building materials to create their famous home essentials like the Bilo-Bilo placemats. They also made use of discarded fabric scraps from clothing factories in Manila to produce the Loli Planter for all the plantitos and plantitas of Manila! SHOP COMMONSENSE STUDIO HERE Adante Leyesa Adante Leyesa is a fashion designer who utilizes indigenous fabric consisting of scrap pieces from ANTHILL Fabric Gallery and other weaving communities all over the Philippines. These are then crafted and hand-stitched by some of the most dedicated and passionate women artisans from a community in Lipa, Batangas. He recently launched his BORO Series featuring unique and varying bag designs which are all made from upcycled denim and mixed with vintage fabrics. SHOP ADANTE LEYESA HERE TenTwenty Kids As early as pre-school, we were taught the importance of proper waste management. Now, we can teach our young the value of upcycling with the story behind TenTwenty Kids’ adorable soft mini toys. All their toys are made of upcycled materials handcrafted with the help of their artisan-nanays in Rizal. Each toy is made sustainable and eco-friendly using upcycled fabrics and textile cut-offs, and stuffed with organic kapok stuffing. SHOP TENTWENTY KIDS HERE Hands on Manila One vision of Hands on Manila is to become leaders of innovative solutions, and that’s what they strive to do through their earth-friendly gift boxes and tags. Each item is crafted from seed paper that can be torn up and planted in pots of soil and watered so they will blossom into spinach! The boxes are fashioned out of 100% recycled paper and all materials used are sourced in the Philippines. This just goes to show how things that seem useless can still grow into something more beautiful and even edible! SHOP HANDS ON MANILA HERE We see properly-labeled trash bins everywhere, but with how fast the time is moving, simply disposing our trash in the right place won’t cut it. We need brands and larger entities to join and lead the movement. Upcycling is not only an opportunity for individuals to fulfill their mission as stewards of creation, it is also a chance for brands to step up and do even greater things for the environment and society as a whole. Moving towards a more sustainable and circular economy could deliver countless benefits for brands such as decreasing pressure on the environment, stimulating innovation and craftsmanship, and providing livelihood opportunities for local communities in need. We can always do more for the environment, for our culture, and for our people. Upcycling is the new way, join the movement today.