Kultura Atelier Reminded Me Why I Want to Wear More Filipino

A personal note on Filipino fashion, craftsmanship, identity, and the kind of luxury I want to see in my own wardrobe.

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I really love Filipino-made items, Filipino design, and anything that feels truly Filipino. Supporting Filipino craftsmanship has always been one of my personal advocacies. I try to find ways to appreciate it, get inspired by the designs, and understand the creativity behind them. And walking into Kultura Atelier at SM Makati? Wow. Just wow.

Launched on October 22 as Kultura's new Filipino luxury concept, Kultura Atelier brings together collections by local designers, celebrating traditional craftsmanship through contemporary fashion. The launch also featured Designers' Conversations, hosted by Issa Litton, where designers shared their creative processes as models showcased their collections.

What immediately caught my attention were the displays by Daryl Maat and Goodluck, Humans. I loved how Daryl Maat's designs had this schoolgirl-inspired aesthetic. I actually own a skirt inspired by a public school uniform, so seeing that interpretation was exciting. Then there was Goodluck, Humans. The identity of the brand, the playful shapes, the ball-like textures! Crazy. It was so beautiful.

Another favorite was a woven skirt by Sari Lazaro displayed slightly behind a plant. When we finally noticed it, we couldn't stop looking. I remember us saying, "Whoa, that's so nice. That's so pretty!" There were so many moments like that throughout the space. One wow factor after another, each piece proving just how much beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship Filipino designers have to offer.

I also remember Jor-el Espina mentioning during the conversations that a piece had been made in just a day. I remember thinking, "This thing was done in a day?" Because it looked incredible. Knowing that something so beautiful could come together in such a short time made me appreciate the creativity and skill behind it even more.

When I was younger and still relatively new to fashion, PR, and media events, my understanding of Filipino fashion was much narrower. I used to associate it primarily with traditional clothing or modern interpretations of the Filipiniana. But over the years, I've realized that Filipino design can be almost anything.

It doesn't always have to follow a traditional silhouette. It could take inspiration from Filipino food, everyday experiences, cultural references, or materials. There are so many ways to interpret what Filipino fashion looks like, and that's what makes it exciting. Filipino fashion has its own identity, but that identity doesn't have to fit into a single definition.

I think that's also why I connect with Filipino fashion so personally. I was born in Las Piñas, lived in Pasay until I was two, and grew up in Mindanao. Throughout those years, I moved between different cities, so sometimes it's difficult for me to pinpoint my own identity. Am I from Luzon because I was born there and my family is there? Am I Mindanaoan because I grew up there and speak the language? It's something I've always found a little complicated to answer.

But inherently, I am Filipino. And that's an identity I can always hold on to.

I've always appreciated international luxury brands and the craftsmanship, creativity, and design identities behind them. Many have found their way onto my personal fashion wish lists and vision boards over the years. But lately, I've found myself becoming more drawn to Filipino designers and the stories behind their creations. I want to be more intentional about incorporating Filipino-made pieces into my wardrobe, not simply as an alternative to international luxury, but because our designers deserve a place alongside the world's most celebrated fashion houses. We have so much talent, creativity, and a distinct cultural identity worth embracing and celebrating.

Of course, I also hope to see more affordable options. I understand the craftsmanship behind these pieces and why they're priced the way they are. Many aren't meant for mass consumption because they're works of art. The designers, artisans, and everyone involved deserve to be valued for their work, and I would never want that value diminished simply to make something more affordable.

At the same time, I hope their creativity eventually trickles into more accessible fashion. Maybe through silhouettes, fabrics, colors, or Filipino-inspired details in everyday clothing. It's complicated, no? We want to respect designers and their pricing, but we also want Filipino fashion to become more abot-kaya. I don't necessarily want beautiful craftsmanship to become cheaper. I want more people to experience Filipino creativity in ways they can afford.

And perhaps that's what I appreciated most about Kultura Atelier. It reminded me that Filipino fashion is worth admiring, investing in, and aspiring to own. Because the more I discover what our designers can do, the more I want my wardrobe to reflect the one identity I've always been sure of. I'm Filipino. And I'd love to wear more of it.