Before we saw the end of the decade, we witnessed how local and international brands have been finding their footing in the country. Designer brands from all over the globe have been seizing opportunities to cater to the Filipino market by selling their collections through local stores. Local fashion designers meanwhile have been pushing the boundaries and changing the way we define fashion. With that in mind, here is a shortlist of designers and brands that we can look forward to seeing more of in 2020.
Bode
Who: American fashion label founded in 2016
What we love: Emily Adams Bode’s luxury menswear brand expresses sentimentality, personal narrative, and historical technique through its garments. Drawing inspiration from vintage garments, the brand comes up with unconventional silhouettes and textiles in its designs.
Gabriel Bustos Santos
Who: Filipino fashion brand launched in 2019
What we love: The designer’s debut collection embarks on a study in dark romanticism and gothic contemporary form. Gabriel Bustos Santos stands out thanks to his unexpected treatment of piña, a sturdy material that he has managed to tatter.
Marie de la Roche
Who: Middle Eastern accessories brand launched in 2015
What we love: Marie de la Roche’s eponymous brand highlights playfulness and boldness through bags. The brand draws inspiration from European and Mediterranean fashion expressed with a rich artisanal craftsmanship in mind.
Bagasáo
Who: Filipino fashion brand founded in 2016
What we love: Seph Bagasao’s ready-to-wear clothing line highlights the contrast between nostalgia and modernity. The brand produces gender-fluid clothing and leather accessories that place sophistication and functionality at the forefront.
Auralee
Who: Japanese fashion label founded in 2015
What we love: Focusing on the development of raw materials and textiles from around the world, Ryota Iwai produces pieces that utilize “the personality of the material, reflecting the mood of the times.” Clothing from Auralee is produced entirely in Japan.