These Inspiring Women Are Changing the Way Modern Filipinas Dress

In celebration of Women's Day, we're putting the spotlight on five local fashion brands helmed by Filipinas. Poised to bring a fresh perspective to modern Filipino fashion, these Pinays are active champions of local craftsmanship.

Apart from putting up successful businesses, our featured ladies are also keen on fearlessly bringing change to the local fashion landscape. They each have advocacies that underline their individual visualization of what a stylish Filipina looks like. Get to know the inspiring women behind these local brands that are celebrating Filipino fashion.

Anika Martirez of Anika

Anika knew from the get-go that she wanted to provide essential wearable pieces for Filipinas. She studied abroad and returned home to build her eponymous brand that promises local women closet staples that are laidback yet luxe.

Anika Martirez for Preview.ph PHOTO: Tarish Zamora

Stella top, P3200, ANIKA, wearanika.com

Faith Mijares of Annie & Lori

Faith's business venture started as a passion project that helped her cope with the passing of her grandparents. From it grew an online business that now caters to Filipinas who are in search of the perfect artisanal shoe they can travel the world with. Her footwear brand is now on the cusp of going international with Annie & Lori's plans to expand to Australia soon.

Faith Mijares for Preview.ph PHOTO: Tarish Zamora

Silk button-down, P4490, H&M, SM Mega Fashion Hall. Knit dress, P2295, MANGO, Power Plant. Flat mule, ANNIE & LORI, annielori.com

Cath Sobrevega and Ina Tirthdas of Nami

Nami is the brainchild of power duo Cath and Ina. Their shared love for personal jewelry—which they treat as precious memory markers—led them to create an affordable line of fine trinkets that are unique and of high quality to ensure they would last a long time.

Cath Sobrevega and Ina Tirthdas for Preview.ph PHOTO: Tarish Zamora

ON CATH: Chocolate turtleneck, P7685, JOSEPH, SM Aura. Trousers, P7985, IN GOOD COMPANY, SM Makati. ON INA: Blazer, H&M, SM Mega Fashion Hall. All jewelry from NAMI, nami.ph

Marga Nograles of Kaayo

Marga started Kaayo with a pure and kind intention: "to give a sustainable livelihood to a T'boli mother and daughter who hails from Lake Sebu." Rooted from the Visayan word that means goodness or kindness, Kaayo aims to tell the story of indigenous tribes, women's groups, and local people of Mindanao through a thoughtfully curated selection of clothes.

Marga Nograles for Preview.ph PHOTO: Tarish Zamora

Jacket, scarf, and long top; all KAAYO, kaayo.com.ph

Bea Constantino of Herman & Co.

Bea grew Herman & Co. as her solace away from the busy city life. She promised herself to dedicate her newfound free time for a worthy cause. And being a fashion stylist by profession, it was a no-brainer that she delved into clothes for her business venture. Bea decided to zoom in on her Chavacano-Tausug heritage with the goal to "bridge the gap between those conflicted areas, their products, and their craft to the mainstream market place," she says.

Bea Constantino for Preview.ph PHOTO: Tarish Zamora

Dress (worn as top), HERMAN & CO., wearherman.com. Wrap skirt, P33,400, CAROLINA HERRERA, Greenbelt 5

Produced and Styled by Yanna Lopez

Co-produced by Jam Nitura

Art Direction by Mark Buenaobra

Photography by Tarish Zamora

Hair by Jan Edrosolan (For Cath Sobrevega, Ina Tirthdas, and Anika Martirez) and Mong Amado (for Faith Mijares, Marga Nograles, and Bea Constantino)

Makeup by Patrick Alcober for Make Up For Ever

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