Why not? Fashion is, indeed, all about you. Who and what you are — your character, values, sensibilities and tastes.
Dressing up is a form of self-love or self-care: you wear what you wear because it is essential, appropriate and, for the most part, it makes you feel good.
And clothing, for that matter, empowers people of all shapes and sizes through a wide range of choices to explore, discover and find one’s style identity.
One woman of style and substance who has created a world of her own is under the spotlight in Philippine retail. Skeeter Labastilla-Turgut, founder/ CEO of household name Pinas Sadya, a young, successful womenswear brand that has carved a niche of its own, is the epitome of what it means to be “all about you.”
Fairly new in the local retail scene (her brand was launched in Artefino 2022), she is known for her juxtaposition of textiles whether per piece or as cutouts to create kimonos, skirts, tops and wraps that have become a signature look and created for the brand a cult following.
Pinas Sadya presents season after season a collection of modern-day wear that honors through design our heritage and culture as Filipinos. A variety of limited pieces outstandingly showcase modern, unique and captivating tapestries in ready-to-wear.
Three-month pop-up
Today, the brand boasts of a modest team of empowered mothers — seamstresses, embroiderers and production teams that have grown in number in four locations, namely, Marikina, Bulacan, Cavite and Taytay. Through their passion, dedication, expertise and most importantly support from brand followers and patrons, they help keep Philippine heritage alive.
Pinas Sadya is currently having a three-month long pop-up at Level 2, Filipino Zone, Greenbelt 5, Makati City that will run until 30 April. So we asked Skeeter five questions and share more about what this is all about.
What is the concept of your pop-up?
Pinas Sadya has always been about the joyful Philippines — celebration of yourself, pride in your culture and the joy of being able to call yourself Filipino. Our Greenbelt pop-up is all about you. The pride and joy of your belongingness to an elevated Philippines.
What do you sell? Do you have a new collection? What is it?
We realized since we launched the brand in Artefino 2022 that majority of our market are working moms in their 40s to 60s who have important meetings, speaking engagements or conferences to attend to, and we honor them in our new designs called “Bidang Bida.” It’s a series of edgy coats/jackets that are (center) stage-worthy.
Your pop-up is multi-branded, so what brands are with you and why them?
We opened our space to like-minded brands that have the same color palette as ours — the maximalist, loud, joyful colors such as Travelfun by Siriusdan for our furniture and Vesti for the artbags, while we do monotone, subdued colors for our home items which is the same aesthetic as Likha Mundo. These brands we all connected with in the Artefino Community have progressed into great friendships.
What is your brand about and what does it stand for?
Pinas Sadya, (Philippines
+Purpose+Joy) is about purposeful gifting to self, with pride and joy. We specify “self” as this was my space when I birthed Pinas Sadya just during the pandemic. The travel within, the acceptance and letting go, and that immense joy of finally believing that you are great, regardless of circumstance. Pinas Sadya is my personal branding journey, in finding myself, and the joy that comes with it.
Why do you do what you do?
It has always been clear to me that I am a contribution to the first world Philippines. It will not happen in my lifetime, but my existence is a contribution to that possibility. So I stand for creating a platform, creating and wearing a beautiful piece of heritage, taking part in community-building that is a contribution to a better Philippines for the generations beyond me.