Tela tale

Fashion in modern times has put the spotlight on the value of artisanal creations and sustainability. This is proven by the endless trade and trunk shows that showcase a plethora of outstanding creations that are currently challenging fast fashion.

Tela, the new David in the local landscape of retail Goliaths, is not just another brand that offers RTWs. The refreshing brand exemplifies the essence of modern fashion — style with relevance — as it focuses on imperative issues like sustainability.

Tela is all about a collective effort of collaborations. It has three collections: Revive, Renew and Refresh.

Revive honors the tradition of weaving by using up-cycled fabrics (woven by the Argao community in Cebu, through the assistance of Anthill fabric gallery) from the Bayo Foundation. Basically, clothing company Bayo donates its scraps to its foundation, which sends these  to the Argao community for weaving. Tela is the first brand to purchase fabrics from Bayo Foundation.

Renew is a collection that also uses textile scraps. The collection is in collaboration with Retaso, a sustainable brand that uses fabric to make furniture.

The proceeds from both the Revive and Renew collections will directly benefit the Bayo Foundation and Bye Bye Plastic Bags.

Alyssa Lagon.

The third collection Refresh uses fabrication with natural fibers.

“I partner with like-minded people to create unique items that are ethically and sustainably made. It is important for me to be part of a movement that aims to generate a more conscious generation,” says 19-year-old visionary Alyssa Lagon, owner of Tela.

Alyssa belongs to the future of fashion, what with her vision, purpose and relevance.

She adds, “I want not just to be part of it but to build a brand that can help make a bigger community for a more sustainable future. Even the tiniest detail matters with a lot of consciousness. Our hang tags are made out of seed paper, which you can plant. Our packaging was made by a community in Payatas to help support their livelihood program.”

Fashion is not new for this third year Communications Technology Management student from the Ateneo de Manila University. She grew up looking forward to going to their factories as her parents own Bayo, one of biggest names in retail fashion industry.

Alyssa says, “Seeing for myself how a simple piece of cloth can transform into something I would be proud of wearing, really excites me. The process is so interesting especially when one becomes part of the entire production chain, including the design process.”

But fashion with a purpose isn’t just a genius of creativity and collaboration but it also has a big heart. More so, deeply instilled in her are precious values that her modest parents imparted to her.

“I also saw how my parents made sure that our people felt important. Seeing how well they regarded our employees with respect, appreciation and how they shared values of hard work and compassion to them made my whole experience complete.

“I was taught to find what motivates me and use that as a driving force to achieve my goal. In search for that, I needed to find a compelling purpose that will give more meaning to what I will do,” she says.

Set to study in Paris as an exchange student for a semester, Alyssa is armed with a vision of a genius, heritage history of retail and heart of gold as she prepares Tela for the world of fashion consciousness wherein every integral part is important.

“It’s not just a business but a way of life, not only for our family but also for the community who becomes part of it,” she concludes.

(Tela, the new sustainable Filipino fashion label with a heart, will be launched on Aug. 13, 2 p.m. at the Palmera Room, Manila House, 8/F Net Park Building, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City. Beginning Aug. 18, Alyssa will do a one-month pop-up in Manila House. After the pop-up, she plans to continue to sell the clothes on Instagram.)