Pinay designing besties find a fan in Natalie Portman
Ta LouLou expands to women’s easy-breezy dresses and swimwear that can be tweaked according to client’s size and specifications
The evolution of the Ta LouLou brand happened organically. What started out close to three years ago as a line of children’s wear made specifically for young girls has expanded to include easybreezy dresses for women, swimwear, and accessories like printed scarves and turbans.
Earlier this week, cofounders and best friends Carmencita Sioson and Denise Quintos-Juan launched a collection of locally made, ballet-inspired footwear and bags.
The two have been friends for over two decades and took ballet classes together. Sioson is a former magazine editor and fashion stylist, while Quintos-Juan has a background in sales. They decided to join forces in 2018 to put up Ta LouLou, spurred on by a nostalgia for the dainty dress es of their youth.
“The initial designs we came up with for the children’s apparel were embellished with ruffles and bows, details we remembered from our favorite dresses when we were growing up,” Sioson told Lifestyle in a phone interview.
Shirring, pleating, embroidery and appliqué work are design techniques they often use.
When they started planning the brand, Quintos-Juan was pregnant with her daughter. On the day they were supposed to introduce the brand, she went into labor, so Sioson was the only one present at the launch. In a way, both of them gave “birth” on the same day.
Lanai Manila in Makati, owned by Natalia Zobel, Bianca Zobel and Maria Parsons, was the first store to carry their products.
Now, Ta LouLou pieces are also sold at Aranaz and Frankie General Store branches. They will be at the Katutubo PH x Bench popup on July 16-18 at Bench Tower.
Hollywood connection
A recent high point for the owners was when actress Natalie Portman popped into Frankie General Store in Sydney a few weeks ago and purchased a dress for her daughter. The Lulu’s ruffled straps and decorative buttons caught Portman’s eye, and she ended up buying the red one for her daughter Amalia.
Two other designs that continue to be customer favorites are the Dahlia and Darla. Both dresses have ruffled hems and shoulder-baring straps, but Dahlia has since evolved and now comes with interchangeable straps.
Two years ago, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach was photographed traipsing in Dubai wearing a sunshine yellow Darla and carrying a fringed straw bag.
Sioson and Quintos-Juan are hands-on business owners. They design the pieces, choose fabrics and decide on the colors—usually from two to four shades at the most. They maintain several seamstresses, and keep an eye on their progress. Before the pandemic, they were able to check that their designs were followed, but the lockdowns put a halt to that.
“Now, it’s a lot of back and forth. We send the designs and fabrics to them via courier, and then they send them back to us. This goes on for a while until Den and I sign off on their work,” Sioson said.
The first lockdown in March 2020 was a time of adjustment for everyone. The pair had been planning to introduce loungewear, but “not anytime soon.” The schedule was pushed up because people were beginning to work from home. With restrictions easing up somewhat, Ta LouLou is now accepting customizations.
“Our clients usually request for other colors or for adjustments in the sizes available. I think that’s what sets us apart. Our pieces can be tweaked if they prefer a particular color or if the client has a fuller figure. Later, we plan to come out with a range of men’s apparel, but we might have to give it a different name,” Sioson said.