Anne Marie Saguil’s slow fashion line takes pride in Filipino embroidery and artisanship, working exclusively with all-women skilled embroiderers such as wives, mothers, grandmothers to augment their family income.
With the holidays just around the corner and everyone gearing up for warm-weather vacations, Amarie by Anne Marie Saguil has you covered. Saguil recently unveiled Sea Meadow, her refreshing collection for Resort 2025. The limited edition line, embroidered by all-women artisans, blooms with easy pieces to pack for sun-kissed days at the beach
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“I envision a meadow of seagrass growing in ocean waters,” says Saguil describing how for this season, she drew inspiration from the natural beauty and colors of marine life. The collection’s two colorways, which the designer christened “ocean” and “grass”, immediately conjure images of vibrant tropical seascapes. True to Amarie’s ethos and brand aesthetic, every piece is embellished with Filipino embroidery, in styles that are uncluttered and functional. “My clothes are meant to be worn in the tropics, at warm weather seasons and destinations,” shares the designer.
Anne Marie Saguil at her studio / Photos courtesy of Amarie
Island Vibes
A glance at the collection reveals pieces that are versatile enough to be worn for casual strolls on a sunny day, as well as for starry night beach cocktails and evening garden parties. “The emphasis we place on Filipino embroidery and artisanship lends a unique and special spirit that allows each Amarie piece the ability to transcend occasions,” she says. The collection’s flexibility encourages each customer to wear and accessorize each of her designs uniquely, depending on the occasion and her own personal style.
Celeste Top, Hand embroidery on Striped Cotton Poplin ; Chloe Top, Hand embroidery on Linen
Sea Meadow comprises 11 styles—think resort dresses, poolside cover ups, stylish shorts sets and versatile separates—created to effortlessly carry you through from sunrise to sundown. The collection’s theme is translated in the delicate embroidery of sea grass patterns; leaves and vines come alive against a backdrop of blue and green hues. “To me, they convey a feeling of serenity and peace… yet evoke a sense of life energy and vibrancy at the same time,” says Saguil as she describes the inspiration behind its motif .
Isla Dress, Hand embroidery on Cotton Linen; Isla Dress, Hand embroidery on Cotton Linen
All-Women Artisans
Most of the pieces are hand embroidered. “We use a “bastidor” (traditional embroidery hoop)” she says describing the painstaking process where the thread is manually stitched through to create the patterns and designs. The collection also includes pieces that use hand-guided embroidery. However, Saguil carefully points out that even when using a sewing machine to stitch particular designs, the fabric is manually manipulated and hand-guided by a skilled artisan. This artisanal quality is a source of pride for the brand and much valued by her loyal clients.
The pieces are farmed out to different regions across the country that are known for the centuries-old skill: hand embroidery is produced in the provinces of Batangas and Laguna, while hand-guided embroidery is mostly sourced in Bulacan. Amarie’s thrust is to work exclusively with all women skilled embroiderers; mostly wives, mothers, and grandmothers who work from home and support their family income.
Chloe Top, Hand embroidery on Linen; Marie Tux Top, Hand embroidery on Linen; Celeste Top, Hand embroidery on Striped Cotton Poplin
Staying Sustainable
As the brand continues to evolve, Saguil is also inspired by the slow fashion movement and has begun to emphasize the use of all natural, biodegradable and sustainable fabrications. “All my pieces are made from materials that can be hand washed and air dried, which saves us from harmful cleaning agents and countless trips to the dry cleaners,” she says. By focusing on small-batch production, sustainability and providing livelihoods have increasingly become the driving force in her company’s day-to-day operations.
Alicia Dress, Hand embroidery on Cotton Linen; Alicia Dress, Hand embroidery on Cotton Linen
“As a designer in the fashion retail business for many years now, I have learned to trust my instincts and stay true to my own aesthetics and sense of who the Amarie girl is.”
Filipino Craftsmanship
Saguil shares how her line is now attracting a younger clientele who live a lifestyle of travel and have a more global perspective to dressing. “They are keenly aware of good fit and quality craftsmanship and thus are willing to spend more,” she says.
Monty Dress, Hand embroidery on Cotton Chambray; Alicia Dress, Hand embroidery on Cotton Linen; Kita Top + Lauren Skirt, Hand-guided embroidery on Cotton Chambray
Saguil takes great pride in celebrating Filipino craftsmanship by working closely with communities to refine the embroidery and artistry behind her cherished brand and, more importantly, to sustain and increase the livelihoods of these artisans who are her invaluable collaborators.
Anne Marie Saguil on an island in Palawan. She wears an Amarie kaftan embellished in hand-embroidery.
What lies ahead for Amarie in 2025?
“To continue to stay true to who we are as a brand, and to strive to give our clients fresh but wearable pieces that they can count on to make them look and feel good,” says the upbeat Anne Marie Saguil whose own personal style epitomizes the Amarie girl.
Photos courtesy of Amarie.
