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ArteFino Resort 2025 puts a fresh take on island style

Published Mar 06, 2025 10:14 pm

The warmth of summer inspires us to discover new treasures and support the talent of our local artisans.

ArteFino Resort 2025, now back at Power Plant Mall, offers the perfect opportunity. With 30 vendors displaying their creations in the North and South Courts of the mall, this event celebrates contemporary resort living and strengthens the bond between Filipino designers and their dedicated community.

"Here in the Philippines, we have an 'eternal summer,'" Mel Francisco, one of the founders of ArteFino, said in an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe.  "Our Filipino style and the designs we wear are influenced by our tropical country. It is so innate to us Filipinos."

She explained that when putting up this event, they wanted to bring in brands that "carried the essence and emulated the resort living."

"By that, brands were inspired by breezy local fabrics, patterns [that] are very indigenous to us, and breathable," Francisco added.

The entrance of ArteFino Resort 2025 at the North Court of Powerplant Mall in Makati City

She continued that Filipinos live and breathe the tropical spirit, as the warmth of summer is an ever-present element in their lives.

"Resort living is very Filipino, and ArteFino 2025 points to our beautiful beaches and destinations in the country," she said. "If there is one thing that we want to impart, we want to inspire people to travel this summer and explore the Philippines." 

This year's pop-up event brings the best of Philippine design to the forefront, offering a curated selection of resort wear, accessories, and home essentials that are perfect for the sunny days ahead. 

From stylish beach bags and breezy dresses to chic accessories, here are some proudly Pinoy-made products L!fe spotted during the ArteFino Resort 2025, happening from March 6 to March 9.

Pamela Alicia

Price range: P2,500 - P3,000

The statement necklace made out of mother of pearls (P5,000 - P8,000) and the slippers

Comfort is key when it comes to summer footwear. Locally made slippers are often designed with materials that are breathable, lightweight, and soft on the feet, making them ideal for hot weather. 

Whether you're lounging by the pool, heading to the beach, or strolling around a local market, Pamela Alicia has gorgeous slippers perfect for casual summer looks. These hand-sewn beaded slippers (P5,000-P8,000) were derived from its statement necklace collection, which typically uses Mother of pearls. 

Lalaro

Price Range: P2,500 - P7,500

Lalaro products focus on uplifting your inner child

Summer is the season of fun, and there's no better way to embrace its carefree spirit than with matching dresses. A playful print or bright, cheerful color can elevate the energy of your summer style.

For Instance, Lalaro offers conscious wear for kids and kids at heart. Dimple Lim, the brand's owner, said they focus on very comfortable materials like cotton so that the mom and her child can play fashionably. 

This kids terno is priced at P3500

Casa Mercedes

Price range: P750 - P850

With this heat, you need a fan. Sure, those little portable electric ones are handy, but for real summer style? Go for a beautiful, handcrafted, Filipino-made fan.

Casa Mercedes features handmade fans designed by Monchet Diokno Olives. For 75 years, the brand has been known as the oldest fan maker in the country. It specializes in handmade fans made out of Filipino fabrics accentuated with unique embellishments, providing fan enthusiasts with works of art.

Sample fan from Casa Mercedes

"We wanted to make the fan relevant because it is part of our national identity. We are in a tropical country, so we need something that can beat the heat that is not inexpensive yet have a quality product," Olives told L!fe.

Farah Abu

Price range: P6,850 - P8,850

Some of the Farah Abu's summer-inspired earrings | Photo by: Yoniel Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

Some of the Farah Abu's summer-inspired earrings | Photo by: Yoniel Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

Some of the Farah Abu's summer-inspired earrings | Photo by: Yoniel Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

Some of the Farah Abu's summer-inspired earrings | Photo by: Yoniel Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

Farah Abu's ear cuff | Photo by: Yoniel Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

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Summer is perfect for experimenting with bold, unique, and eye-catching accessories like statement earrings. The newest collection of Farah Abu features back-to-back earrings that are sure to be a showstopper. Unlike traditional single-sided earrings, these designs create a dramatic effect that grabs attention from every angle. This trendy design lets you stay on top of fashion and add cutting-edge elements to your summer wardrobe.

Farah Abu wears her newest collection, the back-to-back earrings

Farah Abu also released a summer-inspired ear cuff priced at P8,850. 

Follow Your Heart Bags

Price range: P700 - P2,500

Big bags were priced at P2,500. Photo by | Yoniel T. Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

Big bags were priced at P2,500. Photo by | Yoniel T. Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

Sling bags were priced at P1,500 (small) and P1,900 (big). Photo by | Yoniel T. Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

These bags can also serve as travel pouches. Photo by | Yoniel T. Acebuche / PhilSTAR L!fe

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Transparent bags are a functional addition to your summer wardrobe and can elevate your look in a way few accessories can. 

Follow Your Heart Bags sells some. From travel pouches to oversized bags, this brand offers a modern, minimalist appeal that's effortlessly chic. Its clean, straightforward design lets you showcase your other accessories, like a stylish wallet, sunglasses, or even a cute scarf, while keeping your essentials visible and organized.

What's more, with each purchase, you can help the women who made these bags.

"These bags are helping to give sustainable livelihood to a lot of women, lolas and nanays who we allow to work at home to these small details so that they can have a sustainable livelihood," Anna Antonio, the brand's owner, told L!fe

Golden Monstera

Price range: P2,000 - P9,000

Brand owner Jennifer Jimenez is wearing Golden Monstera's brass bracelet

One jewelry brand born on Siargao Island is Golden Monstera, which features statement and sculptural ornaments in brass, a "sustainable earth-derived material with a luxurious look and feel."

Daniel and Jenn founded the brand after falling in love and traveling the world, searching for new adventures. They are dedicated to creating jewellery consciously and sustainably, supporting local businesses while minimizing environmental impact. Their elegant yet affordable accessories collection reflects their love for nature, travel, and one another.

Tilia

Price range: P1,645 - P8,995

This dress is called Mercedes priced at P5,995

Tilia is designed for laid-back, leisurely days when you want to enjoy moments of tranquillity. Each piece is crafted from hablon fabric, woven with locally sourced cotton, abaca, and piña fibers. 

The intricate embroidery and appliqué details add a touch of elegance to these effortlessly wearable designs. Every item is carefully hand-loomed by a community of women from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.

Isa the Label

Price range: P850 - P2,300

Brand's owner, Ysabel Buenaventura is holding the Kaia Set in Araw and Presko Pants in Baby Pink

Ysabel Buenaventura wanted her dream wardrobe to come to life, so she created Isa the label in 2024.

For Artefino Resort, she showcased the Presko Pants (P1,500), featuring a reversible waistband for high or low-waisted styling. It was crafted from Binakol fabric scraps by Ilocos weavers, which brings comfort at every step—perfect for anywhere, anytime style. 

Presko Pants

For a fresh summer look, try their Kaia Set (P2,500), a flattering tube top and a skort with a stretch band designed to make your curves look snatched and built-in.

R. Filart

Price range: P500 - P6,500

Some of the summer-inspired handwoven bags from R.Filart

From chic beach bags to summer hats, R.Filart's items effortlessly capture the relaxed, tropical vibe of the season. Their whimsical bags, shaped like crabs, octopuses, and seashells, add a playful yet stylish touch to any summer ensemble.