From a new ready-to-wear line to elevated basics, these five local designer brands are just what you need for revamping your closet in time for the New Year.
As the New Year enters, it is also the perfect time to refresh your closet. Building a new wardrobe could be a daunting task—but looking for key statement pieces, choosing amazing basics, and finding the balance between comfort and style, are all part of the process and can be fun. Checking out local brands to start your wardrobe revamp is a good way to start.
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In the spirit of the New Year, Lifestyle Asia curated five local fashion brands worth checking out for your 2025 closet refresh. These labels made waves last year, slowly weaving their name in the tapestry of the Filipino fashion industry. However, 2025 is an exciting time for these names—another full year of creating iconic pieces.
Filipino To The Core
Proud Race creates Filipino culture-fueled designs. Each piece they come out with is intentionally chic and updated yet communicates a distinct design ethos unique to the brand. Moreover, the brand’s monumental debut in last year’s BYS Fashion Week cemented its legacy as one of the major local brands to watch out for. Moreover, if you’re looking for statement pieces—check out Proud Race’s catalog.
Standout pieces from Proud Race’s holiday drop / Photos via Instagram @proudrace
Repurposed Beauty
Creating something new with repurposed linens and vintage fabrics is Maligaya Clothing Co.’s mission. Headed by the talented Roko Arceo, each piece released by the brand is surely up to par with diverse taste levels. Moreover, the sustainability aspect of the brand makes it more meaningful—adding a Maligaya Clothing Co. piece to your wardrobe is truly a creative way to elevate your new wardrobe.
Distinctive designs from Maligaya Clothing Co.’s Linen collection / Photos via Instagram @maligayaclothingco
Unconventional and Chic
Geof Gonzales’ design ethos is unmatched. In his recent collection, released in Carl Jan Cruz’s headquarters, the designer used unconventional fabrics to craft remarkable pieces. Moreover, his designs effortlessly transform basic garments to striking statement pieces.
Geof Gonzales reimagines basic pieces to bold fashion-forward statements / Photos via Instagram @geofgonzales
New Venture
Andrea Tetangco launched her first ready-to-wear collection in celebration of her new atelier. In an interview with Lifestyle Asia during the opening, she revealed that her designs are inspired by women—women who wear her creations. Andrea is one of those designers whose work reflects her love for women, each piece from her new ready-to-wear collection exudes femininity and beautifully accentuates a woman’s form.
Andrea Tetangco with her muses / Photos via Instagram @studioandreatetangco
Weaved Consciousness
Capricho is a local bag brand that empowers indigenous weavers, creating bags fit for both the beach and the city. Each bag is handcrafted by local artisans in Cebu. Additionally, Capricho’s bags are made of Viro™️, a polyethylene-based fiber known for its high flexibility and tensile strength.
Capricho bags are versatile and durable, perfect for the beach and city / Photos via Instagram @caprichobagssss
This creates bags that are resistant to temperature changes and are smudge-proof. The bags’ resilience to weather and UV rays further demonstrates their durability.
Banner photo via Instagram @studioandreatetangco.
