Idyllic Summers is a resort wear by London-trained designer Steffi Cua.
Some months ago, Mercedes “Cedie” Lopez Vargas kayaked through the Abatan River in Bohol, drifting past mangroves and under canopies of fireflies, guided by Jessa Villena of Kayakasia Philippines—an eco-tour outfit founded in 2011 and known for its quiet, conservation-minded adventures.
HeArteFino head Cedie Vargas wears a WYC wrap dress and holds a Project Nova bag from Bohol.
ArteFino cofounder Maritess Pineda beside R2R dress
In a recent interview with TheDiaristPh, Vargas held up a handcrafted Project Nova bag, pointing out its clean finish, hand-painted details, and a name inscribed: Jessa. The same woman who had guided her on the river had also made the bag—part of an upcycling initiative born during the pandemic, when Kayakasia’s old inflatable kayaks, tents, and tire tubes were repurposed into wallets, cycling accessories, knapsacks, and everyday bags.
The project kept 80 percent of the team employed while tourism was shut down, and it soon found demand from buyers abroad, including KayakSoutheast Asia and a Palawan store.
Now, Project Nova is this year’s grantee of HeArteFino, the advocacy arm of ArteFino, led by Vargas. Chosen for its strong proposal and hands-on community engagement—mangrove planting, river cleanups, and livelihood support—Project Nova received a seed grant of P500,000.
It will make its NCR debut at ArteFino, which runs from July 31 to August 3 at The Fifth at Rockwell, Makati. There, it joins a movement that sees craft not just as decoration, but as a vehicle for equity, dignity, social and environmental impact.
Expanding its footprint this year, ArteFino will present the inaugural ArteFino Lounge from July 26 to August 3 at the Balmori Chef’s Table.
Conceived as a multisensory extension of the fair, the lounge features heritage-inspired dishes by chefs Angelo Comsti and Don Baldosano. Under the visual direction by Jet Acuzar of The Forewoman and Las Casas de Acuzar, the space will showcase fine jewelry and accessories brands.
As a preview to the main fair, ArteFino Finds, a selection of unique contemporary Filipino craft, will be located on the entire R1 Lifestyle Hallway of Power Plant Mall’s New Wing.
Champions of Change—the fair honors those transforming Filipino design, not just aesthetically, but also socially and economically
This year ArteFino shines a spotlight on those driving meaningful shifts in craft, culture, and commerce under the theme Champions of Change. The title reflects the fair’s commitment to honoring individuals and groups who are transforming Filipino design—not just aesthetically, but also socially and economically.
Among them are the HeArteFino Voices—artisans, communities, and partners whose lives have been shaped by the support of the HeArteFino Fund.
Zarah Juan, ArteFino’s first HeArteFino grantee, began nine years ago with a line of bags and shoes co-created with the Bagobo and Tagabawa communities in Davao. That debut set the foundation for a design practice rooted in cultural collaboration and community empowerment.
Her 2025 collection, titled Full Circle, reflects both a return and an evolution. The work draws on a technique called eco-printing, which uses real leaves, grass, and other plant material to imprint natural pigments onto fabric through steaming or sunlight—no synthetic dyes or chemicals required. She is working with artisans in Guiguinto, Bulacan, to apply and refine the method.
What brings the collection to full circle is how it reconnects to the same values Juan began with—uplifting Filipino craft through shared learning and localized production—while now moving beyond products to build systems. She is developing a syllabus to teach the eco-printing technique to other artisan communities, allowing them to expand their creative and economic potential.
Throughout her growth as a designer and community-builder, Juan has been guided and supported by ArteFino’s cofounders: Cedie Vargas, Marites Pineda, Marimel Francisco, Susie Quiros, and Mita Rufino. Their encouragement has helped shape not just her collections but also her broader goal: to make craft a tool for knowledge, livelihood, and long-term sustainability.
ArteFino also highlights Impact Makers, social entrepreneurs and brands committed to purpose, sustainability, and community empowerment.
Angkan mules
Angkan, founded by Carol de Leon, creates handcrafted accessories and separates, in partnerships with indigenous artisans from Laguna, Davao, and beyond. Rooted in slow fashion, the brand promotes waste reduction, cultural preservation, and sustainable livelihoods—especially for women. Its collections, shown in Italy and the US, aim to put Filipino craftsmanship on the global map. It works with groups such as the Design Center of the Philippines, DTI, Save the Children PH, and Sen. Loren Legarda’s initiatives to support traditional artistry.
Dwellbeing toiletry and ecopackaging
Dwellbeing is a social enterprise founded by Che Secillano during the pandemic, turning discarded materials into eco-friendly personal care and home products. What began with a single lemongrass soap has grown into a line of hand soaps, shampoos, sanitizers, candles, and bags—all made from natural ingredients and upcycled waste. The brand champions sustainability by reusing PET bottles, hotel linens, flour sacks, and book pages. Its operations are proudly inclusive, powered by a deaf workforce and women from Project Pearls—former waste pickers now trained in sewing and weaving.
R2R (Rags2Riches) is an eco-conscious fashion brand that empowers Metro Manila artisans through sustainable work. Each piece is handwoven from upcycled, overstock, or indigenous fabrics—materials that would otherwise be discarded—transforming waste into wearable art and livelihoods. Every purchase supports both people and the planet.
The Trailblazers are the early partners whose consistent presence helped establish ArteFino as a culture force. Among them are jewelry designer Arnel Papa and designer Rhett Eala. Mike Claparols’ company, Creative Definitions, introduced Lakat Sustainables, footwear made of pineapple fiber. Anne Marie Saguil’s Amarie label employs around 40–50 female artisans across regions like Batangas, Lumban, T’boli, Abra, and Bulacan. The brand’s signature style includes barong-inspired dresses, denim jackets, and resort wear featuring classic hand-embroidery.
Boop MNL pet accessories using local weaves
Emerging labels, known as The Next Wave, represent a rising generation of designers influencing the future of Filipino retail. Boop Manila brings playful sophistication to pet fashion with garments tailored for dogs, using native textiles.
Style Ana, founded by Sheryl Ann Buenaventura, is a contemporary Filipino label that blends traditional textiles and silhouettes such as baro’t saya details and butterfly prints into relaxed, modern clothing.
Wear Your Culture (WYC), founded by former models Alvin and Evita Degamo, partners with indigenous artisans—starting with the Manobo—to bring Suyam embroidery into hoodies, boleros, and home décor. These aren’t just accents but living traditions made for daily use. WYC also works with Yakan, Bontoc, and Kalinga weavers, and mothers trained by the Carmelite Sisters in Davao City. Their mission: to make handwoven fabrics a regular part of modern life, keeping heritage alive through fashion with purpose.
Gouache tote and artsy pocket square by Jim Weaver
New Vanguards recognize pioneering work in materials, enterprise models, and responsible production: Gouache Bags began as a partnership between Rubin Poco and Marikina artisans, producing early pieces in its now-signature mix of waxed canvas and leather. The collaboration extended beyond design to include project management and market development. Its growing catalog of camera bags, satchels, aprons, pouches, and totes caters to city dwellers who value style and utility. Known for using waxed cotton canvas, cow leather, and antique-finish hardware, Gouache now also explores materials like nylon to expand its creative range.
Ikot creates artisan-made bags that blend local fibers—abaca, raffia, rattan—with top-grain leather, crafted by Filipino weavers and refined through Filipino-Japanese design collaborations. After making waves in Japan’s high-end boutiques, the brand is relaunching in the Philippines through both retail and online platforms.
London-trained designer Steffi Cua is known for her Idyllic Summers resort collection. Ines Lovina Santiago makes hand-smocked dresses under Ines Moda Infantil. Others include leather bag designer Christian Cera, Camille Villanueva for slow fashion couture and multi-media artist Tara Soriano who has made murals for Starbucks.
The Crossroads brings together collaborations that bridge tradition with innovation. Among this year’s highlights is Idyllic Summers x Earthbound, a brand owned by mixed-media artist Geraldine Javier and Marionne Contreras, a visual artist who alsodoes botanical contact printing and designer Steffi Cua. Their collab experiments with eco-printed fabrics and zero-waste forms. Their pieces echo the cyclical rhythms of nature—growth, decay, renewal—translated into cloth.
In a more intimate dialogue with heritage, Jor-El Espina presents Heirloom, a capsule collection shaped by the legacy of Patis Tesoro. Drawing from their conversations, Espina reworks traditional embroidery and patchwork into garments that feel both rooted and forward-looking.
Camille Villanueva x Tara Soriano
Meanwhile, designer Camille Villanueva, known for her minimalist tailoring, teams up with muralist Tara Soriano to create floral pieces that feel lived-in rather than ornamental.
ArteFino also expands its categories with Artisans of Adornment and Makers of Home, spotlighting jewelry, accessories, furniture, and lifestyle goods. The Olive Tree, a manufacturer of high-end table linens and placemats and table napkins with native designs, has worked with local artisans to make sarongs, blankets and tip towels.
Paperbound products and table decor
Paperbound has evolved from printing paper products to a homeware brand that brings everyday Filipino culture to life through whimsical prints. From lamps to wallpaper to money envelopes, its designs feature everything from Malacañang Palace and Intramuros maps to 19th-century Filipinos captured in the vivid style of Jose Honorato Lozano. Churches, dances, native flora, and vintage furniture round out the local imagery that defines its distinct aesthetic.
Artisans of Adornment focus on the jewelry designers. Piesa Jewelry specializes in wire-based costume jewelry wrapped in premium local fabrics and native materials. Its collections—ranging from bold hoop and cuff earrings to necklaces inspired by Filipino cultural symbols such as native Christmas lanterns. Fedesto specializes in fine jewelry crafted with precious metals and genuine gemstones. Kathy & Kathy Bespoke, fine jewelry label based in Iloilo and Metro Manila, offers fully handcrafted, customized pieces— specializing in filigree, metal carving, and granulation. Their designs blend sentimental value with cultural heritage, offering one-of-a-kind keepsakes. They also contribute to the revival of traditional craftsmanship through initiatives such as the Sinagtala Project, a night-school program teaching goldsmithing skills to the next generation
Supporting ArteFino are the Partners in Progress—the institutions, corporations, and agencies that have stood behind ArteFino’s vision over the years.
A younger generation—many in their 20s and early 30s—is now emerging as serious buyers
As ArteFino’s co-founder and head of its developmental arm, Vargas says the fair has seen steady and robust sales over the years. While its original audience remains loyal, the demographic has noticeably broadened, with a younger generation—many in their 20s and early 30s—now emerging as serious buyers. Some, she notes, initially came only to accompany their mothers, and are now returning with a deeper appreciation of the products and the stories behind them.
This shift has prompted the team to curate a more balanced mix of offerings—some pieces less labor-intensive and more accessibly priced, often crafted from upcycled materials, while others continue to showcase time-intensive techniques such as hand-weaving and embroidery.
The aim is to reach wider audiences without compromising the artisan ethos at the core of ArteFino.
Men, too, are becoming part of the conversation. Where they once came simply to chauffeur their partners, the fair now sees growing interest in tailored pieces, such as sports jackets and modern takes on the traditional guayabera shirt—items versatile enough for office wear or casual evenings.
For Vargas, what’s most rewarding isn’t just the commercial success. It’s seeing how growing support for Filipino design ripples outward—impacting artisans, preserving heritage techniques, and contributing directly to the livelihood of local communities.
