THE PASSION THAT IS FILIP + INNA

History is always alive, and Filip + Inna is an epitome of that fact. Even with its name, the brand carries its principle.

“The + sign symbolizes how we work as a brand – there are always two elements working together, tradition and contemporary intertwining, to create something distinctly Filipino,” says Lenora Cabili, founder of Filip + Inna.

Focusing on embroidery, beadwork, and textiles, the brand undergoes a “turtle mode of production” to ensure responsible production.

“We go through a complicated and tedious process as we adjust according to the traditions of the artisanal groups we work with,” she says.

Doing their own fair share in promoting sustainability, the brand only takes orders to avoid overproduction. Cabili expounds, “We limit the quantity of our production and take in orders instead. Waste is set aside for use in recycling. We have started making our own textiles and see that as a path for the future of the brand.”

The founder herself has a rich history of how the fabrics weaved their way into her life. Cabili grew up in Iligan City and saw the garments of the Maranao, Yakan, and Higaonon first-hand. Through the Bayanihan Dance Company, the National Dance Company of the Philippines, her knowledge on other garments grew.

Finally, she consummated her love affair with garments by earning a degree in B.S. Clothing Technology from the University of the Philippines.

Cabili says, “Clothes are an outward sign of our identity; and fashion is a platform to tell the story of our history, our culture, and our identity. As we work with different artisanal groups around the Philippines, we provide an opportunity for them to earn a living out of a skill they already know. And for the pieces we create, we make them with the intention of having quality that pays respect to our culture, and we hope that it will make Filipinos proud.”