Manila, Philippines — Amid the bustling landscape of fashion and craftsmanship, a beacon of hope and empowerment shines brightly: Artefino Festival 2023. With a deep-rooted commitment to promoting local talent and embracing sustainability, Artefino has carved a niche for itself since its inception in 2017. Now, with the HeArtefino Foundation at its helm, this movement is poised to magnify its impact and foster lasting change.
Artefino has been an unwavering advocate for Filipino fashion and crafts, offering a platform for indigenous brands, designers, and social enterprises to flourish—even in the face of a global pandemic. What sets Artefino apart is its unswerving dedication to its mission, which now stands fortified through the HeArtefino Foundation.
The HeArtefino Foundation breathes life into the ideals of innovation and collaboration within the community, uniting them under a shared mission of supporting artist-entrepreneurs and their partner communities. The 2023 edition of Artefino directs its proceeds and ticket sales towards the HeArtefino Foundation, channeling the funds to meticulously chosen communities across the Philippines. The Bagobo Tagabawa community in Davao, renowned for their intricate beading, and the skilled fabric weavers of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental are beneficiaries of the foundation’s development programs.
Cedie Vargas, co-founder of Artefino, elucidates their partnership approach, saying, “When we partner with communities or makers, our aim is to empower them to run sustainable businesses. Our collaborations span several years to establish long-term relationships and create real impact.”
Sustainability pulsates at the heart of the HeArtefino Foundation. Previous initiatives have propelled the foundation towards a circular fashion model, embracing zero-waste manufacturing. In Artefino 2023, the foundation’s booth will showcase deadstock fabrics from Anthill and Great Women, two entities dedicated to preserving the essence of Filipino craftsmanship.
Marimel Francisco, Artefino co-founder, explains, “We commissioned Carol de Leon of Angkan World to create a collection using fabrics from Anthill and Great Women. We saw all the inventory that needed to be unloaded so that they could continue working.”
For the first time, the foundation is immersing itself deeply into the entire supply chain, bridging the gap between makers and designers. The result is an intricate collaboration that nurtures a holistic approach to sustainable fashion and empowerment.
From August 24 to 27, The Fifth at Rockwell and North Court in Powerplant Mall will be the stages for Artefino 2023. Under the theme “Reuse, Repurpose, and Regenerate,” the event embodies a distinctly Filipino perspective on sustainable fashion. Participating brands pay homage to the nation’s rich craft heritage, seamlessly blending contemporary designs with time-honored Filipino weaves and fabrics. It’s a symphony of creativity and tradition, a celebration of fashion that speaks not just to the present, but also to a future rooted in empowerment and reverence for our roots.
Artefino Festival 2023 encapsulates the ethos of responsible fashion while nurturing communities and kindling hope. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of fashion to uplift, empower, and pave the way for a sustainable future.