Zarah Juan

Former flight attendant Zarah Juan got her start in fashion when she was inspired by a trend she noticed in Japan, where people traded plastic bags for fabric bags. She has since expanded and works with tribes like the T’boli who are renowned for their embroidery techniques and the basket weavers from Iraya Mangyan; shoemakers from Marikina; painters from Lumban, Laguna; leather tanneries from Bulacan; and woodcarvers from Paete. Designs include colorful slippers adorned with pompoms and embroidery and rattan bags in fun shapes like old-fashioned telephones and animals.