Maligaya, made personal
The designs of Maligaya Clothing Co. strike a chord. The lacy openwork evokes the doily patterns extended in Lola’s tablecloths and curtains, while the sudden bursts of color in embroidery or vintage retaso evoke bygone colonial climates.
About three years ago, stylist Roko Arceo put his finger on the pulse of what was missing in the local fashion scene. He did what many local brands have been trying to do for many years—contemporize Filipino fashion.
But with his taste and sense of design, he hit the nail on the head and got it just right, as measured by the brand’s success and sought-after pieces.
Same silhouette, different piece
The brand took shape after a turning point in his career. After 10 years as a stylist for a major broadcasting company, Arceo pivoted from the fast pace of television and took a leap to build his own brand.
Through sourcing for styling work, Arceo had built relationships with antique dealers and fabric suppliers. Now, only three years in, Maligaya operates out of a Makati showroom and has evolved into a largely made-to-order practice, with a range of clients, many of whom are quite famous.
He recounts how some of these clients bring in their own materials or work with what’s available, often repurposed fabrics like old curtains, tablecloths, and linens. “Some clients buy the pieces because it reminds them of their lola’s manteles or kurtina.”
This approach also limits exact replicas. “We can recreate the silhouette, but not the exact piece,” he shares.
Truly sustainable
Arceo also asserts that Maligaya is truly sustainable, while being meticulous about using one-hundred percent cotton. Light and tactile, with delicate lace dresses, embroidered men’s shirts, and soft linens, the pieces feel familiar, almost timeless. They are nostalgic in a tactile way.
His latest release, the Marikit collection, leans fully into this language with bridal pieces rendered in lace and crochet. Instead of traditional gowns, the silhouettes feel lighter, almost tropical.
And while romantic, Maligaya isn’t precious. Meant to be worn, moved in, and reinterpreted in each wearer’s personal way.
This story was originally published in RED 2026 Issue 2
