Filipino designer Ziv Rei Alexi is giving the humble sando a new lease on life, transforming an everyday staple into a statement piece rooted in his Filipino and Caviteño identity.
In every Filipino wardrobe, there’s a sando. Unassuming, often worn out, and sometimes forgotten, it’s probably the last piece of clothing you’d reach for when putting together a style-forward outfit. For the longest time, the sando has been seen as an undergarment, something your younger brother might wear beneath his school uniform. Filipino designer Ziv Rei Alexi, however, has a different idea. For him, the humble sando deserves to take center stage.
In an exclusive interview with Lifestyle Asia, Ziv shares how his identity as a Filipino, and more specifically, a Caviteño, inspired him to reimagine the everyday staple and turn it into his now-famous fashionable sandos.
READ ALSO: In “ARCHIVO,” Rajo Laurel Puts His History On The Hanger
Transforming The Humble Sando
The sando, for Ziv, is a familiar piece of clothing with plenty of room for experimentation. It feels Filipino, yet its simplicity makes it recognizable across cultures. That combination became the starting point for his exploration of the everyday tank top, which he began designing in 2024.
“I was looking at pictures of Apo Whang-od and the tattooed women of Kalinga wearing white tank tops that highlight their tattoos, which I find really interesting,” he shares. The images stayed with him, offering a glimpse into how a simple white top could frame something deeply personal and culturally significant. From there, Ziv began exploring how the sando could carry more visual weight while retaining its familiar shape.
His approach also comes with a playful streak. “It’s also just me wanting to complicate things,” he says. And complicate things he did. What began as a straightforward staple gradually evolved into a canvas for embellishments, unexpected details, and fabric experiments.
The embellished sandos, in particular, started as a side project for his design team last year. Using retaso fabrics left over from previous collections, they began adding new textures and details to the otherwise uncomplicated garment. The results gave each piece its own character, showing how even small additions could change the way the sando looks and feels. “Everything you add to the sando already makes it a brand new item,” Ziv explains. “Just finding the balance and not adding too much is already enough.”
That versatility is part of what makes the design so appealing. Ziv envisions his sandos slipping easily into existing wardrobes, whether paired with other designer pieces, styled as the main attraction, or worn as a complementary layer. As more people embrace the garment as everyday outerwear, it opens up new possibilities for styling something most Filipinos already own.
Besides the design itself, the sando reflects Ziv’s personal experiences and upbringing. “The Filipino context in my work comes from my own Filipino-ness. It comes from my experiences growing up Filipino and my perspective as a Caviteño,” he explains. Through a garment that feels so ordinary, Ziv finds a way to express something truly his own.
All photos courtesy of Qurio Studios
Frequently Asked Questions
Ziv Rei Alexi is a Filipino designer known for reimagining the traditional Filipino sando as a fashionable statement piece. His designs reflect his experiences growing up Filipino and his perspective as a Caviteño.
Ziv Rei Alexi transforms the everyday sando through embellishments, creative fabric treatments, and unexpected details. His designs elevate the familiar tank top into a statement piece while retaining its recognizable shape.
In 2024, Ziv drew inspiration from photographs of Apo Whang-od and the tattooed women of Kalinga wearing white tank tops that highlighted their tattoos. These images encouraged him to explore the sando’s design possibilities.
Ziv Rei Alexi and his design team use retaso fabrics left over from previous collections to embellish their sandos. The fabric additions introduce new textures and details to each piece.
Ziv envisions his sandos as versatile wardrobe pieces that can be paired with other designer clothing. They can serve as the statement piece of an outfit or complement other garments, making them adaptable to different personal styles.
