How the Modern Filipina Wears Local Fashion

What a time to be a Filipina fashionista! Now more than ever, Filipino clothing brands have been all the rage, stepping up and taking space in the fashion scene. From high-end designers to off-the-rack, ready-to-wear labels, you’re sure to find a piece you’ll like from a homegrown brand. Read on for a few ideas on how the modern Filipina wears and styles local fashion – and be inspired to love local in your own way.

Nothing can make a fashion girl feel more special than an outfit that’s custom-made for her. For her wedding day, creative director Kit Singson Florendo had a piece made by the design duo Ha.Mu. Their quirky, out-of-the-ordinary, and whimsical designs are not to be missed!

“For me, wearing local is first and foremost an aesthetic choice. Yes, there is some aspect of patriotism and the desire to uplift independent or smaller local businesses, but primarily, I wear local because I like it on the surface,” shares Kit. “Whether it’s the cut, the material, the innovative use of retaso, or other sewing techniques – they’re fun to look at, fun to wear, and quite unique! A lot of the local brands I connect with maximize their on-hand fabrics into their designs,” she adds.

The fun part is in making the piece uniquely you. The way you wear local is an expression of your sense of style and even your mood. “When I wear local, I feel very authentic, like wearing my skin,” says Kit. “It gives me a level of confidence and pride. If I feel like I want to put my heart and personal style out there, I wear local.” 

Behind every piece is a story, and the wearer has a version waiting to be told. “There’s so much personality in the designs,” she adds. “The clothes are thoughtfully created to bring this out and to reflect the equally interesting and complex personalities of the wearers."

Wearing local is second nature to boutique PR agency founder and director Fel Garcia. Since discovering local brands and deciding to wear Philippine-made more often, Fel’s local finds have become part of her daily looks. “Wearing local fashion makes me feel both confident and proud,” she says.

Whether she’s working from home or en route to a shopping party, Fel includes local Filipino brands in her repertoire. “There's a certain spark in me that lights up when I get asked who or what I'm wearing, and I answer with a local brand or designer,” she shares. “I feel like, in one way or another, we're connected somehow.”

One of Fel’s key investment pieces is a statement Viña Romero top. She’s had it for years already and has worn and re-worn it as her wedding guest look, for instance – styled differently each time. “ROI na yon for me,” she says.

“Through wearing them, I get to share what we Filipinos have to offer and show the local talent that’s worth the recognition and investment,” shares Fel. “I think now’s the time, for our generation and the next, to aspire to have a closet filled with pieces from local designer labels – over international brands.”

A Filipino-made piece deserves the grand stage. A former head of growth and partnerships of a homegrown beauty tech platform, Marga Romero, makes it a point to wear local fashion at milestone events, like international conferences or a friend’s wedding.

One of her favorite pieces is the now-iconic floral top by designer Gabbie Sarenas. “Wearing local makes me feel like I’m representing Filipino talent, and it fills me with so much joy and pride when people, whether abroad or in the Philippines, stop me to ask where the piece came from,” shares Marga. “It’s a wonderful way to celebrate our culture and craftsmanship."

A well-designed look is only as good as how you feel and carry yourself. Stay at your best by keeping your hygiene in check with these daily essentials. Tame frizzy and dry hair effortlessly with the Cream Silk Triple Keratin Ultimate Hairfall Defiance Serum Conditioner, to make styling your hair easier.

For radiant skin, try the Dove Cloud Self-Foaming Body Wash Radiant Glow, enriched with niacinamide and amino acids for a gentle yet effective cleanse. For fresh, clean breath all day, try Closeup with Multivitamins to help prevent cavities.

There really is no underestimating the power of a good look – and a Filipino-made one at that. Get your outfit – and beauty must-haves – ready, so you can slay in style like the modern Filipina that you are!