Finding the jeans of your dreams can take an actual lifetime—you may accumulate a hefty pile of denims as the years go by, but chances are, they're not your perfect pair. Know what we mean? There's only one solution: take matters into your own hands by trusting these eight local fashion designers to make your denim desires come true.
CJ Martin
IMAGE Deneb Villanueva
WHAT WE LOVE: Fun fact: CJ won the first-ever Manila Fashion Festival Competition in 2016, displaying a true talent for simple, casual separates perfect for daily wear.
Contact CJ at cjaypmartin @ gmail.com
Carl Jan Cruz
IMAGE INSTAGRAM/carljancruz
WHAT WE LOVE: Manila's It girl stylist Liz Uy told Vogue.com herself—"I like Carl Jan Cruz: His take on denim is unlike anything I have seen.” We're especially crazy over his cuffed, wide-leg jeans and patched denim pinafores.
Visit Carl's website or email him at studio @ carljancruz.com
Basic Movement by Esme Palaganas
IMAGE INSTAGRAM/esmepalaganas
WHAT WE LOVE: Esme's pristine, intricate denim embroidery is wearable art in the most feminine silhouettes.
Visit Esme's website or catch her on Facebook.
Yves Camingue
IMAGE INSTAGRAM/yvescmng
WHAT WE LOVE: Look to Yves for masterfully-made, perfectly-frayed pieces! An example: we can't keep our eyes off of that raw-edged scarf detail.
Contact Yves on Instagram or on Facebook.
Daryl Maat
IMAGE Ryan Ong
WHAT WE LOVE: Daryl's clever use of hand-studded gold grommets was showcased at his most recent fashion show in collaboration with electronics giant Philips. 'Twas a noughties redux in the best of ways!
Contact Daryl on Instagram or at 0917 530 9508.
Jail Jeans
IMAGE INSTAGRAM/jailjeans
WHAT WE LOVE: Designer Chris Jasler's Jail Jeans is not for the faint of heart. If chains, metallics, and skulls are your thing, then he's your guy!
Contact Chris Jasler at +63 927 881 5818 or on Instagram.
Viktor Jeans by Ino Caluza
IMAGE Cenon Norial for Preview Magazine, June 2016
WHAT WE LOVE: Ino Caluza's tasteful printed denims are totally covetable, and the label's tagline should be enough to convince you: "A good pair of Viktors can get you laid."
Contact Ino on Instagram or visit Viktor Jeans at Level 2, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Cen Hontomen
IMAGE INSTAGRAM/andrejuddchang
WHAT WE LOVE: Cen's work is breathtakingly voluminous and beautifully detailed—a scroll through her Instagram will tell you that she's undeniably skilled at draping and construction.
Contact Cen at cenhontomen @ gmail.com or at 0915 949 6392.
