Power Dressing: Where Do the Filipino Elite Buy Their Clothes?

October 24, 2018

Nine fashion labels currently in the spotlight for being the preferred places where the Filipino elite like to buy their clothes for their power dressing ensembles.

Chanel

Since launching in the early 1900s, the popularity of the Chanel brand has grown to gargantuan proportions. Chanel symbolizes true elegance, and many women today still look to the fashion house for classic ensemble options. It isn’t usual for a young scion of a respectable Filipino family to receive their first Chanel flap bag in her teen years. As they get older, they continue to buy timeless pieces from the brand that they can use forever.

Christian Louboutin

Louboutin’s are forever. That’s true. A pair of pumps or high heels with those iconic red bottoms can take a lady far in her day. Many young women can wear them with both casual daytime and night time looks, without ever compromising her style. Christian Louboutin was also in the Philippines recently, where he collaborated with Jeanie Javelosa and GREAT Women group to create a limited edition bag collection called Manilacaba, made from the woven fabrics of Filipino artisans.

Gucci

Gucci is in a bit of a resurgent stage lately. Under the baton of their creative maestro Alessandro Michele, men and women alike are flocking to stores to purchase quirky pieces from the Italian fashion house. Manila’s young elite in particular have been rocking casual Gucci looks on a day to day basis—whether it cool sneakers with tiger patches, or silk jackets finished in the iconic red and green.

Hermès

How can Hermès ever go out of style? It never can, because it is the epitome of the word! Manila women who wear understated Hermès pieces mixed in with their everyday wear truly look luxurious and effortless. Everybody’s favorite fashion icon Heart Evangelista is one of Hermès’ biggest fans, always sporting their bags on her arms. She even customizes them by painting some of her beautiful illustrations straight onto the premium leather.

Lesley Mobo

London-based Lesley Mobo’s eye for design is sophisticated, elegant and extremely detailed. He never fails to make every inch of his garment count, all the way down to the smallest bead. Some of his biggest fans include society icon Kaye Tinga and her young daughters. As Mobo’s name continues to grow in the industry, he never forgets to give back. Recently, he launched a school with MINT to help aspiring fashion designers achieve their dreams.

Michael Cinco

Michael Cinco, the famous Filipino designer based in Dubai, dresses everyone from European socialites, Arabic princesses, Hollywood stars, and Filipino millionaires. He made huge headlines last year when Vicki Belo wore one of his couture pieces on her wedding day to Hayden Kho at the Paris Opera House. It was rumored to have costed more than a $1 million! “I eat fashion, I breathe fashion and I sleep fashion. I don’t think I could do anything else in this world but fashion,” Cinco told Lifestyle Asia a few months back. Now you can buy some of his ready-to-wear pieces at Greenbelt 5, through his store, Coutourissmo.

Rajo Laurel

Laurel is set to celebrate his 25^th year in the fashion industry later this month as this year’s featured designer at the Red Charity Gala 2018, the biggest philanthropic and fashion event of the year. Rajo’s ready-to-wear lines are go-to pieces for Manila’s It-Girls, while his couture pieces have dressed countless society gals at all kind of milestone events, from prom night to engagement dinners.

Rustan’s Department Store

The Tantoco-owned luxury department store has been dressing the country’s discerning crowd for decades, growing with the times to make sure that they always feed everybody’s fashion needs and cravings. Some of the notable brands they carry include Ricardo Preto, Josie Natori, Jojie Lloren, Thomas Pink, Criselda Lontok, Hugo Boss, Lacoste Live!, and their large jewelry selection at the Silver Vault, amongst others.

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Patty Ang

Lifestyle Asia cover girl Patty Ang has been making a splash in the fashion scene for years. Despite her young age (at only 26), she has proven herself to be one of the most sought-after designers in the country. Her high profile client list includes Cat Arambulo Antonio, Martine Cajucom Ho and Lucy Torres Gomez, who always come back for more of her understated pieces in clean silhouttes.