BANAGO, Founded in June 2011
“The Banago brand was created to support and expand livelihoods of artisan communities in the Philippines where my family is from. Growing up seeing both my mother and grandmother work at home sewing clothes for the Los Angeles garment district factories while they took care of my sisters and I at home and my father went to work I understood the importance of the cottage industries and how they improve the lives of women. After about 15 years in the Fashion industry in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Tokyo I felt it was time to return to my second home in the Philippines to use the knowledge and relationships I have gained throughout my career to come back home and help people improve their lives by designing with them and promoting their love of the arts and crafts of their home villages.
Here at BANAGO we aim to support sustainable livelihoods and preserve ailing arts and crafts with various products that span a work force from the farmer of the natural materials the products are made from to the artisans. We teach them the importance of quality work and entrepreneurship in hopes of empowering these women. So far we have been successful because we have stayed true to our beliefs that true luxury is having the ability to help.”
