Home is Where The Fashion is; Philippines

I'm sure most of you already know that I'm Filipino. I grew up in the Philippines, but now I live here in California. I do still visit my home country every year to see family and friends, and it's interesting to see the differences and similarities between the fashion industry in the Philippines, and the fashion industry here. 

I wanted to show my readers some of the most amazing fashion designers my home country has to offer 

Starting off with the famed Mich Dulce.

The designer, wearing one her famous hats. Photo credit: Mich Dulce

I started off with her because not only is she so successful at such a young age (she's only 29, and has been a well-known designer since she was 26), but she is the type of designer that I believe the Philippines will be producing in the next 10-15 years.

Her style is very ecclectic, yet modern and traditional at the same time. She's definitely showing a very strong point of view with her designs that people all over the world love.

She doesn't just make hats, she also makes custom made gowns, and bustiers (I don't think she makes a RTW line anymore, but she used to)

Photo by: Mich Dulce

A well-known fashion editor wearing one of Mich Dulce's hats. Can anyone guess who it is?

Photo by: Mich Dulce

It's Anna Dello Russo!

Her clients include both local and international celebrities such as Dello Russo, Bryanboy, Adam Ant (who wears her Napoleon-esque hat A LOT), and Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto - a band you should definitely check out) just to name a few.

Her AW 2011-2012 Hat Collection

Photo by: Mich Dulce

Her muse Ciara Sotto wearing one of her famous waist reducing corsets (Sotto had a waistline of 23 after continuously wearing Dulce's corset) that has a waiting list that can rival that of an Hermes bag. 

Photo by: weheartweddings.com

And one of her custom made gowns made for her muse
You can see more at her blog

Next is Rajo Laurel

He is a designer, a judge for Project Runway Philippines, and a blogger all in one.

He has a store in NY and is definitely making a name for himself internationally. I mean, how many designers can say that Bethany from "Bethany Getting Married" wore your dress in one of her episodes? Or that stylist Robert Verdi for choose it and presented it to a client?

Photo by: Rajo Laurel

Photo by: Rajo Laurel

Not too impressive? Well how many designers can say that their clothing has been on the cover of WWD?

Yup! That's his dress

Aside from having his own RTW Line and his collaborations with big local fashion brands, he also designs children's clothes (called Rajito)

and Wedding Rings

Photo by: weheartweddings.com

Photo by: weheartweddings.com

Photo by: weheartweddings.com

 p.s. I want both of these rings as my wedding ring!

and eggs! (ok, the last one was just a project, but I thought it was beautiful!)
See more of Rajo in his blog

Kermit Tesoro

or the Filipino McQueen as I'd like to call him is definitely a breath of fresh air for the Filipino fashion industry. His edgy style is a youthful twist on the iconic macabre theme that McQueen is very well known for.

Although, not (yet) as renown as Rajo or Dulce, Tesoro is already making a big name for himself in the local fashion industry, it'll only be time til he's making headlines internationally

I'm excited to see what else Kermit has to offer in the future!
P. S. To my Filipino readers. How can I get my hands on his shoes???

Amina Aranaz-Alunan

Now, this woman is actually a bag designer, and she already has a huge international audience because people are actually knocking off her bags! And goodness she is gorgeous! 

I've actually met her and she is a very sweet and personable woman who knows her stuff! Aside from being a fabulous bag designer and a model, she is also one of the founders of SoFA (School of Fashion and the Arts) in the Philippines

Photo by: ARANAZ Facebook

 The origami clutch and the travel suitcase will be mine!!! Must go to Manila soon!
 You can see more of her pieces in the brand's Facebook page

So that's it! Some of my favorite designers in the Philippines who I think are not only making a name for themselves, but also putting my country's name out there

The Philippines has tons more (Monique Lhuiller, Pitoy Moreno, Rafé Totengco, just to name a few) and these designers are just the tip of the iceberg! 

And a quick shout out to Burning Skies! Thank you so much for the Versatile Blogger Award! It's the first time I've ever received it! I'll do my post about it soon!!!