Upcycling, culture, comfort, and durability. These are some of the things the three designers we feature find essential
This is an excerpt from the MEGA March 2025 ReWear story
All three creative directors we interviewed for this article—Russel Villafuerte of Strongvillage, Rik Rasos of Proudrace, and Leo Bartolome of Edited Limited—use denim heavily, but don’t limit themselves to the material. All three brands have limited number per clothing style, by the very nature of the garments made with upcycle fabric (unless fabric used is available in larger quantities).
“We mainly use upcycled materials from donations and thrift shops. Some of our usual secondary materials are deadstock fabric. We also make use of local weaves,” says Villafuerte, whose Spanish-given last name translates to Strong Village in English. “We focus on recycled materials, found materials and deadstock fabrics,” says Rasos, while Bartolome states, “I love using denim and other cotton fabric from old apparel, factory trimmings and remnants. It’s strong, durable, and comfortable.”
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Bartolome entered the business via a route different from the other two—he has been working with Adante Leyesa, handling paperwork, marketing, sales and design consultancy since 2010. Edited Limited was only formed during the pandemic, when the demand for Adante Leyesa accessories and bags declined. “Our urgent solution at that time was to save the company and for our workforce to have a continued income. We were based in Lipa, locked down and did not have access to suppliers. We started working on the clothes that were in our closets. At first, we only edited clothes, tweaked, refashioned and jazzed them up for a contemporary customer. Then, when our production strengthened, we started creating our fabric by patching it and developing our designs.”
Villafuerte began his career as a contestant on Project Runway Philippines in 2009 and won the 2011 MEGA Young Designers Competition. In 2018, he created Strongvillage, and in 2019, he competed under the brand in the Bench Design Awards. Strongvillage, says Villafuerte, stands for three things: “Sustainability. Streetwear. Global culture.” The label aims to reduce environmental impact, source materials ethically and protect workers who produce their garments. “Our clothes are well made and every detail is well thought out. Each item is produced ethically from start to finish.”
Rasos, the creative director behind Proudrace, founded his brand about a decade ago. “Rooted in the cultural memory of the Philippines, Proudrace blends local influences with global sensibilities, creating pieces that feel both familiar and forward thinking,” he states. “Proudrace is committed to sustainability by using mindful production practices and working closely with local artisans to preserve traditional craftsmanship. We ensure that our sewers and makers receive fair compensation, valuing their skills and contributions in every piece we create.”
Read more of Russel Villafuerte of Strongvillage, Rik Rasos of Proudrace, and Leo Bartolome of Edited Liimited and their pursuit of sustainability in fashion in MEGA’s March 2025 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Images courtesy of STRONG VILLAGE, PROUDRACE,, EDITED LIMITED, and EXCEL PANLAQUE
