Heritage belongs in everyday life.
You probably already own a T-shirt, a denim jacket, or a tote bag that you wear without thinking twice. Tedd Mabitazan wants to add one more thing to that list: handwoven Filipino textiles.
Not for a formal occasion. Not for a cultural showcase. Not as something to admire from behind a glass display.
Just for everyday life.
That philosophy anchors “The Walk,” Mabitazan’s newest collection, which will be presented during the Cordillera Fashion Expo at the Manila Coffee Festival x Coffee Expo Manila x Biyaya Sustainable Living Festival from July 17 to 19 at SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 1 to 3.
For Mabitazan, the collection is deeply personal.
“It is a love letter to my home,” he said.
Every garment and bag is crafted entirely from handwoven Philippine textiles gathered over years of travel and collaboration with weaving communities, with a particular focus on the rich textile traditions of the Cordillera.
“These are not garments meant to be kept behind glass or saved only for special occasions,” he said. “They are ready-to-wear, living pieces designed to be lived in, moved in, and woven into everyday life.”
Instead of treating these fabrics as precious artifacts, Mabitazan transforms them into jackets, shorts, tote bags, cropped tops, and ready-to-wear separates designed for movement and everyday use.
His colorful striped jackets are paired with casual shorts instead of formal trousers. Traditional woven bags become daily carryalls. Indigenous fabrics appear on contemporary silhouettes that could easily fit into the wardrobes of professionals, students, and travelers.
The message is simple: heritage belongs in everyday life.
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From spectacle to purpose
Mabitazan’s journey began with a very different dream.
“As a young designer from Baguio City, I started out designing for the spectacle, chasing the glamour of glossy print magazines,” he said.
Experience, however, changed his philosophy.
“Today, I design with intention. Every garment and bag is crafted for utility, designed specifically to elevate the everyday wardrobe.”
He said artistic expression remains important, but never at the expense of function.
“I express my artistry through a careful balance of silhouette, form, and color. While artistic expression shapes the visual narrative, functionality is always my ultimate priority. Fashion is meant to be lived in.”
For Mabitazan, beauty alone is not enough.
“A beautiful garment that doesn’t translate to daily life is simply an incomplete design.”
Rooted in Baguio
Mabitazan credits Baguio City’s creative community for shaping his approach to design.
“Baguio City’s creative community instills a distinct respect for process. The city’s slow pace teaches you to value craftsmanship,” he said.
“My creative language is a direct reflection of this environment, focusing on beautifully constructed pieces that are meant to be lived in.”
That philosophy can be seen throughout “The Walk,” where traditional weaving techniques are reimagined through modern silhouettes without losing their cultural roots.
Looking beyond borders
While the collection celebrates Philippine craftsmanship, Mabitazan hopes it can also help redefine how the world sees Filipino fashion.
“My vision looks far beyond our borders,” he said.
“I want to show that our craftsmanship belongs in everyday global wear, rather than a specialized market. No local brand has yet become a worldwide staple, and I am building the blueprint to hopefully achieve that.”
For him, Cordillera weaves should not be limited to museums, heritage exhibits, or special occasions.
They should become part of people’s everyday wardrobes—whether in Baguio, Manila, Tokyo, Paris, or New York.
That, ultimately, is the journey behind “The Walk.” Not simply a fashion collection, but an invitation to carry Filipino craftsmanship into everyday life.
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