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At New York Fashion Week for FILIPINXT, Gabby Garcia’s new collection explores movement, transformation, and the beauty of heritage in new spaces
Gabby Garcia is charting a course that connects the tropical textures of the Philippines with the slick cityscape of New York. A visual dialogue between heritage and modernity, Tagpi’s Tahak reimagines traditional Filipino craftsmanship through a cosmopolitan lens. Handwoven textiles, banana fiber beads, and mother-of-pearl details are refashioned into silhouettes that sway between island ease and urban precision. It’s a collection that moves—both physically and conceptually—mirroring the Filipino designer’s own path from local talent to international stage.
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The Places We Go
Garcia named his collection Tahak, a Filipino word that means “to tread” or “to journey”—a fitting title for designs that travel between worlds. It’s a love letter to both the raw, sun-soaked beauty of the Philippines and the high-energy pulse of New York, woven together in looks that feel equally at home on the shores of Palawan or the streets of SoHo.
“The collection is about movement—how we go from one place to another, how cultures intertwine,” Garcia explains. “I wanted to capture that through materials that feel deeply Filipino but translate effortlessly into a global wardrobe.”
That means handwoven fabrics, mother-of-pearl accents, banana fiber beads, and other indigenous elements reimagined in contemporary silhouettes. Think: flowing tropical ease meets structured, city-ready precision—a balancing act that mirrors the contrast between island living and urban hustle.
Blue Skies, White Sands, and the City That Never Sleeps
If Tahak is a story, its color palette is the moodboard. Garcia paints in shades of blue and white, drawing from the serene seas and crisp skies of the Philippines, but also the sharp, graphic aesthetic of New York’s skyline.
“The blues represent movement—the waves, the sky, the endless journey,” he says. “The whites bring clarity, a nod to both the bright coastal light and the sleek modernity of the city.”
A palette that feels both breezy and bold, grounded in nature yet refined enough for the kind of person who can pack light but dress heavy on style.
Handmade High Fashion
Beyond aesthetics, Garcia’s approach to construction is where things get even more interesting. Tahak is a playground of Filipino craftsmanship, with techniques passed down through generations meeting fresh, inventive applications.
“I experimented with new hand-beading methods, collaborated with artisans from La Union on intricate crochet details, and even worked with Mindanao weavers to create oversized pompoms,” he says. “There’s also knitwear from Benguet, which adds this unexpected coziness.”
One standout is the Crochet neckties: A traditional technique, but with streetwear bite. Then there are the banana fiber beads from Pagadian City, a reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sophistication. “These elements make the collection feel alive,” Garcia reflects. “It’s modern, but it has a heartbeat.”
Being part of FILIPINXT’s official NYFW debut is a collective victory. For Garcia, it’s a moment of visibility that Filipino designers have long deserved. “I feel truly honored to be part of this movement,” he says. “It’s not just about individual designers making it; it’s about Filipino craftsmanship and creativity getting the global platform it’s always been worthy of.”
With this recognition, he hopes for more than just applause. He wants action—support for artisans, a deeper investment in Philippine design, and a wider audience that understands the richness of Filipino fashion.
While Tahak is about movement, the designer himself isn’t standing still. The journey continues, and if this season is any indication, Gabby Garcia is walking toward something big.
Photographed by DOMINIC SENADOR
