YOUTHQUAKE

Our favorite women-led brands to empower and inspire

Young women entrepreneurs are the future of fashion

REVÉ BY RENÉ

“I love sunglasses! It’s the only fashion accessory that both reveals and conceals at the same time,” says Rene Chu, founder of cult eyewear brand Revé by René. It all started when Chu was looking for a pair of sunglasses that fully represented her style. When she couldn’t find it, she decided to build her own brand. A combination of classic and quirky designs, Revé by René sunnies soon became a style staple for celebrities like Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow and Fan Bing Bing, especially when iconic Parisian boutique Colette snapped up the designs. Today the brand is stocked in more than thirty retailers around the world, ready for the woman who is confident, authentic and adventurous enough to wear them.

BONDI STUDIOS BY ERICA DEE, SAM TANGCO, ROBYN SEE

Erica, Sam and Robyn are childhood girlfriends who love both the creative and business sides of fashion. Their brainchild Bondi Studios was built organically through their collective passions, which is why within two weeks of planning over Facebook Messenger, they were able to release three bag designs and two clip designs. To their delight, the demand for each piece was immediate and high, pushing them to put out even more designs. What makes Bondi Studios stand out from the rest is that each pieces is a representation of female empowerment, culled from the all-women team behind them—from the founding trio the the band of local craftswomen creating each piece.

PRANCA BY STEPH AYSON

Growing up with her mother’s JMA Jewelry empire, it seems like Steph Ayson was always destined to design beautiful bijoux. She was already on board with their family business when her cousin Carla Sison, founder of Áraw the Line approached her to house JMA pieces in the Tropa store. At that moment she realized her dream to start her own line, reflective of her own experience and aesthetic but infused with the same values that built her mother’s brand. Pranca specializes in using beautiful baroque pearls to create statement pieces. These days, Pranca is now being worn by the coolest women in the city. “The Pranca woman is unapologetic in her authenticity,” says Ayson. Confident, modern and strong, Ayson ensures that every woman who wears a Pranca piece feels empowered and beautiful.

GABBIE SARENAS

Gabbie Sarenas thoughtfully calls her clients binibini. This term instantly communicates the quintessential Gabbie Sarenas woman: someone who is sophisticated, cultured and best represents the modern Filipina. “We started with the question ‘What is the identity of Philippine design in fashion?’” says Gabbie. This was answered by her namesake brand, which is deeply rooted in both Filipino design techniques and local textiles. For Sarenas, the biggest challenge is to keep the brand’s voice consistent, that’s why she takes her time when it comes to researching and developing each release. But once fully fleshed out, Sarenas and her team are able to create unique, stunning pieces for her beloved binibinis.