This design pop-up is new platform for startups

Cheska Picache and her mom, Pinky, founded a company that rescues fabric remnants and turns them into a new piece of clothing.

“My mom and I started last year because we wanted to help out our wedding designer friend by getting her retaso (fabric remnants) and turning it into this,” she told Lifestyle, showing off a multiway kimono-style top.

Cachet Collection started as a passion project to support designer Merlene Marcelo Veto in helping her bounce back from the pandemic. Veto designed the kimono top for them, and the company has grown to add more styles to their collections. They’ve also expanded their sources of raw materials. From local weavers to sewing stores that are about to close, the Picaches are there to save the excess fabrics.

They are just one of the 25 brands that were invited to join Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio at The Podium this year. The brands are a mix of startups and familiar names. The products are varied, from modern takes on Filipiniana to home accessories, all showcasing Filipino innovation and creativity. It runs until Aug. 31.

Exhibitors include Agsam, Alixia Marie, Amber & Anne, Azucar, Binibini Marikit, Casa Juan, Dermtropics, Ethnique, Happy Andrada, Happy Weaves, Ilha, Jim Weaver, Kara de Juan, Lily Jewelry, Maison Grid, Matthew and Melka, Millie Monday, Pamanna Jewellery, Pampinay, Pili Ani, RCB Crafts, Tahum Clothing, Tiano by Thian Rodriguez, Vintage Candles and Woven.

Solid backing

“We hold these events to encourage the startups to eventually become our suppliers,” said Kultura president Ivy Yap. Not all new brands who join the Filipino Design Studio automatically become Kultura suppliers, but it’s a platform to get recognized.

Emil Nadres knows the importance of having solid backing to push for local products. His brands, Barong Filipino, Mayumi and Islas Filipinas, grew with Kultura. They’ve been one of its concessionaires since 1992.

“We learned how to do retail because of them. We used to do wholesale or sell in bulk, until Kultura invited us to sell under our own brands,” Nadres said. Their business grew because of this. They started with only 10 employees; now they have 200 sewers.

The invitation to join the Filipino Design Studio came as a surprise to some. Some received their invitation through Instagram messages or by email.

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“We look at their stories and find ones that are interesting. There are a lot of business owners who are innovative,” Yap said. They’re chosen not just for the design but also because of the materials they use. Some are chosen because of their sustainability efforts. Yap said that they even check the ingredients of an item whenever applicable. Vintage Candles, for example, was chosen because it’s paraffin-free.

Casey Russell’s scented candles are contained in a coconut husk with fancy pedestals for support. The husks come from Samar, Leyte, to support the farmers there.

Rosalina Tan, founder of Pili Ani, started her beauty company when she saw the pulp of pili being discarded after the nut was harvested in Bicol. She didn’t like to see it go to waste. Pili oil is rich in antioxidants, and is a very good moisturizer.

Some brands at the pop-up have fun products, like Pampinay, which integrates pop culture references into its clothing designs. The most striking are the pouches designed like jeepney signages. Binibini Marikit has a design line based on characters inspired by Filipina characters.