In today’s digital world, more and more local brands are now shown appreciation; and it was about time that happened. Instagram has contributed to this greatly as people can now find shops in an instant with minimal effort. Just a click of a button can send you to your next favorite brand’s profile. You can then scroll freely through their eye-candy feed while silently cursing yet praising yourself for discovering new clothes that will empty your wallet soon enough. And that’s basically what happened when we found this new interesting store!

Likha Philippines is one of the newest local brands to enter the online shopping world. Amidst all the other stores found on the lovable and addicting app, they certainly stand out for really embodying Filipino pride. Their first collection Bagets features basic blouses named after what we presume to be historical Filipino women. Maria? Clara? Gabriella? Juana? They definitely ring a bell.  

They definitely got our attention there and so to know more about the brand, we had a chat with the owner Chesca Marcelino.

Tell us something about yourself!
I’m Chesca Marcelino and I’m a 17 year old entrepreneur student at the University of Santo Tomas. I chose the field of fashion because ever since I was young, I’ve always been fascinated by how people express themselves through the way they dress. Through this experience I am slowly learning more about how the culture of fashion in the Philippines works. As of now, I own the store Likha Philippines which promotes local products made by Filipinos. I was also inspired by the success of our Filipino fashion designers that used local materials in promoting the talent of [other] Filipinos in the skill of garment making.

What made you want to start a clothing brand?
I believe in our capacity to produce world class garments. As I mentioned earlier, I was inspired by our local designers whose work I’ve always admired, such as Inno Sotto and the like. At the same time, I wanted to help and share my blessings to the less fortunate.

Why the name "Likha"? Why did you choose a Filipino word?
The word likha means a thing produced by intelligence and skill, so I want my brand to speak for itself; that it is [also] indeed a local brand from the Philippines. I want to share my talent and creativity to other people and inspire them as well to express themselves through the way they dress. I also want people to know how competent Filipinos are in the skill of garment making thus uplifting the Filipino spirit.

Why did you choose Instagram as your selling platform?
The generation today is more involved in social media, and Instagram is one of the most influential social media sites. And since people can bring their smartphones everywhere, it has already been a habit especially for the youth nowadays to check on their personal accounts every hour or so on what are the latest trends in fashion (since it is constantly changing).  Instagram is a good site for start up a business like mine to also reach out to different countries around the world. 

How are your pieces made? Are they done locally/handmade/etc.?
My pieces are basically inspired by a 90’s meet modern type of style. I want to bring old fashion back with the mixture of Filipino fashion. They are sewn by Filipino sewers, and I ensure that the quality of my pieces are impeccable.

What do you think is unique about your brand?  
My brand is unique since it does not only showcase the Filipino talent, but it also is a way to share my blessings by having a portion of the sales go to an educational fund to support indigent students and other charitable organizations.

Do you think it's important for young people to appreciate local brands more? If so, why?
Yes, because I believe that the raw materials used in our garment manufacturing can compete with the best brands in the world. This in turn will contribute to the growth of our economy.

What can we expect from your future collections?
People can expect an edgier style and more timeless pieces that will [again] promote Filipino designs using local materials.

We can’t wait for what Likha Philippines will showcase next! But in the meantime, go ahead and follow them for updates:

facebook.com/likhaphilippines
instagram.com/likhaco

- Reign Gonzales
all photos courtesy of Chesca Marcelino (Likha Philippines)

nubianskin.com

- Eliza Espino

     Support and advocate feminism by checking out these cool girl power shops created to help end the patriarchy! From stickers to patches to pins, these creatively designed products are what you need to proudly sport women empowerment!!

- Eliza Espino

     Everyone has a body. Well, nice of you to point out the obvious, you must be thinking. That's the thing  though, people miss that point a lot. Everyone has a body. Everyone is entitled to be treated as a person. Everyone's body deserves respect regardless of shape and size, social class or GENDER. I've come to wonder why it seems that in most of the fashion ads today women are treated as if they have no meaning.  It's as if they're just objects.  Here are a few examples of these ads in the last decade.

     This ad may look like a high fashion editorial advertisement but if you observe closely, you'll realize that it is just plain wrong on so many levels. Why does the woman need to be helplessly pinned down in that attire and subjugated over by these men who can easily take advantage of her? Why is this image alright in people's eyes? Is it just because it looks good? Just because it is considered art? Art is apparently making sexual assault look sexy. It makes women look like they're objects that can be used by men for their body alone. I don't see any reason they would want this woman besides the fact that she has a face and body worth lusting over.

     Seriously? Supposedly, women are now objects that can be bought. Brilliant, just brilliant! Redtape has basically said that women have a price tag on them, that women can be bought, that women only exist to serve men's needs. This is disgusting. This ad has degraded women on a whole new level. It has shown the world that women are mere merchandise to be put on display that can be bought. 

     The bottom line is that what's common in all these ads is that all the women here are highly sexualized. They are showcased in these ads mainly because of their bodies and not for the true women they really are. Would it hurt to just have creative ads where a woman need not be put up as a mere object? Would it hurt for the world to stop looking at women for their bodies alone? Change begins with recognizing that there is a problem. If we do not even stop to think about the impact these ads bring, then these ads will continue to proliferate. The next step would be to find solutions to the problem. We must stop patronizing such ads because they hurt the dignity of all women. Women are beautiful beings.  They have been graced with far more than their physical aspects. They have been graced with magnificent personalities, grace, class, sassiness, intelligence and wit. That's what these ads must show.  Sex and nudity may create the hype and induce sales but if the cost is the objectification of women as sex objects, ask yourself, is it really worth it? Is it worth it to strip them off the respect and dignity they deserve just for publicity generation and sales volume? 

- Danielle Bernabe
click photos for source

     There's been a trend of selling cute kawaii-inspired clothes on Instagram lately and we're definitely loving them all! From school girl skirts to egg-printed merchandise, we hand picked some of the best online stores for you to check out!!

Tell us what your favorite kawaii shops are in the comments below!

- Eliza Espino

     Over All Master Cloth (OAMC) is essentially basic menswear with a twist. Their collections are all about solid colours with very little pattern making the pieces very clean and straightforward. OAMC has a very formal feel to their clothes because of the sort of modern structure it depicts, but ultimately they seem very practical for everyday occasions. 

     
      Hood By Air is one of the most renowned urban menswear lines and there’s no question why. I can only describe their pieces as “futuristic gothic streetwear”; very hip-hop but only to a certain point. The designs are also very minimalist and often only show their logo. And that’s kind of that they’re really known for; the HBA trademark. 

     
     I’m quite impressed that this line is the brainchild of 17 year old twins, Betts and Chet. Lucid FC's pieces are kind of specifically made for the youth because they do look very casual yet “trendy”. And what’s cool is that they have kind of consistent designs with their criss-cross logo and that the clothes are very simple yet at the same time, can standout. 

   
     If you’re into more "rugged" type of clothing then Rhude is a great brand to check out. Their clothes are very casual and distressed but they still look high-end. There’s definitely a rocker and hip hop vibe to them that you'll love. Kind of like A$AP Rocky meets grunge. Plus, Jesse Rutherford and Zach Abels from The Neighbourhood muse for them, how cool is that?

     
  These top of the line brands are really to die for if you’re into the whole menswear/urban/street/health goth/modern wear kind of thing. Yeah, they are quite expensive but let’s not deny the fact that they’re all really great though. It can’t hurt to do a little window shopping, right?


- Reign Gonzales
click photos for sources

     The Future – an unknown chest of forthcoming phenomenon that has boggled the minds of even the greatest thinkers and philosophers.  An oasis of soon to be deeply treasured triumphs and regrets, a place of rest for events directly connected the past you have created, and the present you are currently living now. The den of the unsettling likelihood that something may happen, or a disquiet matter of something that may never happen at all. The Future – something everyone’s obsessed with

Even fashion.

A short background

     In the 60s, a documentary depicted some strange predictions on British life in the 20th century. It highlighted the creation of ultra thin televisions “you can even hang them on the wall”, the ability to choose the sex of your children and improve their mathematical ability so that they can control the use of computers, and other amusingly extraordinary ideas that are, well, just plain weird.

     Backtrack a little further in time, a magazine by the name of “The Strand” released a set of fashion illustrations by W. Cade Gall in January of 1893 that presumably predicted how people would wear their clothes for the next 100 years. The drawings contained depictions of men and women clad in ruffles, pointed hats, flared pants, among others that were so reminiscent of retro 19th century clothing. Its interesting how the reality of these fashions are so far from one man’s future sights, and how little of what he predicted were actually worn by people of the following century.

     These were just some instances that portrayed how people were so obsessed with knowing what will happen in time. But the future is here, and we can’t help but smile in amusement as to how compellingly different people before thought how our life would be right now. Fashion, being one that is never estranged from what is in vogue, is now embracing the idea of technology being incorporated into clothing.  Fashion always wants to be ahead of their time! But that’s not to say that technology in clothing means leaving behind traditional, and often beloved methods of creating garments. Technology in fashion means acceding and complementing old ways in order that designers of today may better translate their works that could work appropriately to the general zeitgeist of today. Hence, here are some radical examples showing how the future of fashion is here and why technology is the newest fashion game!

     If you thought we were done helping you shop, well think again. Because just like OOTDs and food pics, it seems like a new shop is born (or posted) on Instagram every second. And this time we've got everything that you might want and need, whether it be unique clutches or awesome water bottles. So what are you waiting for? Follow these ten online shops now and make your Instagram feed a little more shopping friendly.

- Victoria Urrutia
*all photos are from the respective Instagram accounts

     In this day and age where everybody is online 24/7 and shopping has become a hobby, it's no wonder that the two were put together to create the best fashion combination since Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel. Sure, online shopping may have been a thing for a while now but nowadays, it seems that selling on sites such as Instagram and Facebook are the new fad. Some of these shops haven't even been up for a year yet but they have seemed to have already made their mark in the online shopping community with their unique products, superb quality and affordable prices. There are a lot of pros to shopping on social media sites but remember that like anything else, it also has its cons. Browsing for clothes or basically any item that you might need is easier, quicker, and less tiring but you also have to remember to be wise about what you're buying and who you're buying from. Don't know who to follow to make your feed a little cuter or what to buy? Well then here are the top ten newest and coolest instagram shops! 

- Victoria Urrutia
all photos are from the respective Instagram accounts. 

     If you’re socially aware of the people around you (specifically the teeny boppers), you’ll probably notice that they all seem to wear clothes from the same stores. Wether they’re girly or more of punk rock, it’s most likely that they’ve bought something from a typical clothing store; and although you’d hate to admit it, these stores are actually worth the hype.

     Now if you don’t own something from Forever 21, you my friend, are one heck of a person and I congratulate you. Forever 21 is probably one of the most versatile clothing brands for teenage girls; from casual t-shirts to dressy and elegant pieces, they make sure that every “kind” of girl will love their clothes. And heck, they’re doing a brilliant job at it. Another great thing about the brand is that the clothes are reasonably priced. If you’re on a low budget but want something that looks a bit pricey, then I (and probably most teenage girls) recommend Forever 21. A good alternative to this store is none other than Cotton On. This Australian brand has the best circle skirts and the comfiest drape-y pants in my opinion and they’re not too pricey as well. Most of what they sell are for casual looks, but they do have really nice dresses to wear for more formal events. 

     For those who can afford more upscale/high-end clothes, then Topshop, Urban Outfitters, and H&M are where the party’s at. They’re not that expensive but they’re not that cheap as well. Their clothes are so nice and fashion forward, though. These stores have a lot of pieces that are perfect for people our age to wear without looking older than we really are; and I think that’s what makes these shops stand out from all the other more expensive brands. Though there are no Urban Outfitters and H&M stores here in the Philippines, you can go visit their online shops (urbanoutfitters.com & hm.com) instead.

UPDATE [2015]: They are H&M Stores in several malls already!

     
     

     Oh and if it just so happens that you’re a “common white girl” or at least act like one, you probably have heard of Brandy Melville. I cannot say much about this brand because I never actually got a good feel of their store, but I do know that almost every white American teenage girl LOVES this brand. I don’t know why, and I think I never will.

     
   
     Of course for all of my punk rock/alternative friends out there, I think we can all agree that Hot Topic is the gateway to countless amounts of band merch/clothing. I used to be so obsessed with Hot Topic and when I finally got the chance to visit one, my mind was blown. There were stacks and stacks of band shirts lined up against the walls and it was heaven to me. From classic artists like Nirvana to younger bands like You Me At Six, Hot Topic has a huge range of band merchandise that will definitely keep you in-store for hours. Usually, they sell their shirts at $20 which isn't such a bad price for a comfy and casual shirt. 

     I know it can be tiring to be so mainstream all the time. I mean there's a possibility that you own clothes that 100 other people own as well, but don’t be afraid to join this bandwagon because at least you’re going to look hella good, right?


- Reign Gonzales
click photos for sources