2024 was a for real cluster fuck of a year, not just for me. We have watched the world explode into wars, we have watched genocide play out and continue, and we are living through (or not living through) the alarming distress calls of this planet. And I can confidently say it is at the hands of a few men with psychotically greedy interests. For many folx in North America (often known now as ‘empire core,’), the curtain has just been pulled back on so much oppression on a global scale. I remember even just two years ago the word “colonizer’ or colonialism’ was not in the vocabulary of everyday folx. Something has really shifted, and I am so here for it. The collective is waking up to the reality of global facism on the rise. And the bright light that has come from all of this, is the rise of an emboldened collective to resist. And to see these waves of resistance globally as we move into 2025, gives me…strength.
And still we have to work. I am not sure if y’all understand how insanely complex and difficult it is to run a business, this business. Especially now in the chaos of what’s happening in the world. But we are still in this privileged position so I am trying my best to not allow the chaos and the injustice that I witness to consume my light! So we expressed our light this year with a diverse range of Filipinx made gorgeousness!
I mean you can never say we weren’t busy this year! Grateful to be able to do what we love.
We started the year strong when we introduced the Poncho Wrap in four different weaves, the PAMANA 3.0 collection, and the stunning Sheer Shoulder Terno Dress in red.
To set the tone for the year ahead, we published a piece by my cousin Maripet Mangosing (obvi a talented writer), ‘Small Business as Revolutionary Practice’ in the VINTA Journal. We also supported and flexed our own Filipinx artistry in so many ways this year. In February brought the atelier team in the Philippines to an inspiring day trip to Pinto Gallery in Antipolo for our annual company outing. In April we celebrated the opening of Larry the Musical by dressing the cast for their opening night. We dropped quite a few new designs, including my fave, the Barong T-Shirt with an embroidered Kalabaw inspired by last year’s team outing where I met Ligaya the Kalabaw.
We were honoured this year to publish guest writer, Ruby Veridano’s piece "Dress and Dignity"--as well as our very own marketing coordinator Danica’s essay on "The Pearl of the Orient Seas”. Both VINTA Journal articles were very well received and were read by thousands of you! We love being able to share these reflections on Filipinx/Philippine history since we do advocate for our kapwa to Know Your Fucking History ;)
In May, the launch of our gorgeous new website marked a significant milestone. Dressing some power women for the Gold Gala, and joining the Baryo Hi-Fi Market where we met new and returning customers in person was very inspiring, like Renee and Chris who got married in Big Sur in 2022. Renee ordered a made-to-measure High Neck Pleat Front Camisa and Saya De Cola set, and she shared how it was so meaningful for her to be seen by her family in Filipiniana for her nuptials. Getting to meet her, and hearing her story in person is so special. It is something that warms my heart, and never gets old for me because it is the WHY of doing this work!
In June, we started donating $10 from each KYFH T-Shirt sale through Operation Olive Branch. To date we were able to donate $60 to Operation Olive Branch’s Direct Aid Initiative for families in Palestine.
I went to Vancouver in July, on my way back from Manila, to launch VINTA at our very first stockist, Revival. Revival is a sweet little luxe vintage shop that also sells sustainable goods on Main St. and 7th Ave recently opened by a dear old friend of mine, Christina Florencio, who is now an entrepreneur kumare.
In August we celebrated the anniversary of PAMANA with the launch of the PAMANA 4.0 collection with two new colour variations of the Tie Front Terno Harness, now in two-tone taffeta in black and lavender, and the Sampaguita Box Cut Barong, also in lavender.
And then omg in September we soft-launched my new brand REGALO Studios! As splashy as the party was, I am taking my time to hone this new brand. Shout out to the whole team – we worked really hard on this, on top of running VINTA!
The primary market that we are focusing on with REGALO Studios is ‘the womxn who have lived many lives’ like me, primarily Gen X (or 40+). Because my generation of women are actually redefining aging, and yet we are still erased or overlooked in many aspects of our culture, especially in fashion. And if I am trying to be the change that I want to see, then REGALO Studios is it. Of course, as with everything I do, it is still inspired by Philippine cultures and aesthetic canons, but now it’s contemporary fashion, so we can share it with non-Filipino friends and family! I am so incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to carve out a new trajectory in my creative and entrepreneurial journey. I hope you can join me, and share the brand with your people.
Whew that’s a lot already!
There was a glossy new magazine launched here in Canada called 3, that focuses on TCI’s (third culture individuals) like me! and I was lucky enough to be featured in their maiden issue in September about "rethinking Filipiñana—and what ‘Filipino fashion’ even means.’ Shout out to Stacy Lee Kong the EIC! That was an honour. Check them out because they are doing important and great work.
A week or so after the REGALO Studios launch party was WAKE a spectacular, poignant performance created by Jay Carlon with Micaela Tobin. It was super fun to be able to push myself creatively and be working within this community of sick Filipinx artists creating this maximalist baranggay spectacle!
As we close out December, I am filled with gratitude for our incredible team. As I mentioned earlier, there is a shift. People are being more thoughtful about their lifestyle, which is much needed. That said, it was a challenging year for many small businesses, yes, including us. So thank you for your support, kapwa, we made it through! It means so much when you make conscious choices in what you spend your hard earned money on. We hope that you all continue to do what you can for our collective dream of a more just and sustainable future, for everyone.
2025 comes at us, and I got my brave face on! All the best to you and yours, from the VINTA Gallery and REGALO Studios team, hope y’all have a shimmeringly bright holiday season, and an optimistic energy and abundance for the new year!
Tapat Puso,
Caroline Mangosing
