A Story to Tell
Trude Lizares has been creating custom to ready-to-wear (RTW) sustainable and handmade pieces, from casual to formal wear, for 31 years, in her homegrown atelier in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Since she was 18 years old, while studying at the Ateneo de Manila University, she has been designing and producing RTW handpainted pieces for the women at the House of Negros, a nonprofit organization founded to alleviate poverty caused by the downfall of the sugar industry in Negros Occidental. She showcased not only her own masterpieces, but also the talents of numerous struggling artists from the Art Association of Bacolod, which her father, Edgardo Lizares founded with the support of National Artist of the Philippines awardee, Jose Joya, back in 1975.
In 1987, after graduating from the university, Trude relocated to Australia. However, her heart and passion for her art and work compelled her to move back to the Philippines and rebuild her atelier with the same artisan team. As soon as she moved back, she launched and personally managed her own stores, which showcased her beautiful artistic creations in Bacolod City. She worked on her art from 1990 until 2016, when she decided to retire from the fashion industry.
However in 2017, when her daughter Katrina came home after 11 years in Sydney, Australia to get married, Trude created the entourage’s dresses—all sustainable, handmade masterpieces in piña and silk cocoon. Her family and friends then insisted that she go back to the industry where they believed she truly belonged.
Initially, Katrina wanted a modern bridal gown in imported silk. Trude, on the other hand, insisted on a modern yet traditional, elaborate, handwoven, handembroidered, and hand-beaded grand bridal gown made of the indigenous traditional piña. Knowing well the value and worth of piña, the commitment of giving back to the local community, and being the perfectionist that she naturally is, Trude created what she knew was nothing short of the best.
Hence, in 2019, with Trude’s heart and passion, and with Katrina being well-versed in technology, they both decided to work together and relaunch the brand that you see and experience today.