Championing Filipino design brilliance: Kultura and its Filipino Design Studio

SUSTAINABILITY can come in many shapes and sizes. What’s important is the intent, the execution, and the commitment – and this holds true whether it’s about going carbon neutral, being socially responsible, or advocating proper governance.

With SM Green Finds, SM Retail is helping consumers make Sustainability a conscious and accessible choice. One avenue was to support suppliers, and identify their products, that are either eco-friendly, made with natural materials, and/or support local communities and artisans. To further this noble objective, Kultura has set up its first Filipino Design Studio.

Running until September 30 inside Kultura at The Podium, the Filipino Design Studio can be described as a showcase of the best that Filipino artisans, and medium to small-scale entrepreneurs, can offer in terms of world-class products and wares. Carefully curated, it’s Kultura evolving into more than a Filipiniana souvenir store; and into a Lifestyle brand that’s eager to champion Filipino ingenuity in design and manufacture.

Diverse, and covering a wide range of retail products, the overarching impression one gets with Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio, is how there really is so much to unearth and discover about Filipino ingenuity in product portfolios. While many pop-ups championing these artisanal crafts occur during the weekends of the -ber months, the Filipino Design Studio at Kultura is one that will run the whole month of September; and you can be assured that the sustainable products and collections that elicit strong consumer patronage will find their way into the regular shelves of the store.

Ken Samudio’s stunning accessory line inspired by our colorful marine-life, and utilizing upcycled material can be found at the Kultura Filipino Design Studio.

And there’s Kara de Juan’s statement bags and jewelry made from ethically-sourced carabao horns together with Virtucio’s recycled grocery bags and plastic in its bag and accessories designs.

Matthew and Melka’s totes have floral accents and check out their beaded slip-ons. Rhett Eala has his current fashion collection, while JIM Weaver has colorful silk scarves that highlight pop culture and Filipino traditions.

There’s the Flutter accessories of Kat Ong that have been featured in fashion magazines abroad and Millie Monday’s Filipino-inspired placemats and plates.

Shepard of Jewelle Y. Mugglestone has distinctly-packaged recyclable aluminum premium personal care kits that make use of botanical ingredients. The Cuasay sisters are behind Maison Grid, where Home & Living products are brought to a new standard.

Supporting weaving and artisan communities in different regions, we have Strong Mina, Our Little Ideas and La Bon Vie. Strong Mina supports hand loom operators from Abra, while the products of Our Little Ideas hail from Bicol, and La Bon Vie features Ilocano weavers.

As SM Retail Vice President for Corporate Communications Cathy S. Ileto remarked, “Through our marketplace, SM Retail and its brands like Kultura provide opportunities for Filipino artisans and indigenous communities to have livelihood, and more importantly, make it sustainable. We are a platform for the MSME’s and social enterprises to grow and scale.”