Gabbie Sarenas is known for her global contemporary Filipino design inspired by her love letter to the Philippines — a passionate and sincere commitment to preserving heritage. Her subtle and symbolic tribute to patriotism is presented through her marvelous creativity in intricately woven masterpieces.
Brilliantly talented, her love for local textiles, hand embroidery and distinctive romantic storytelling has been left unnoticed and given recognition — the latest was at Ternocon 2023 (Pura Escurdia Award).

Armed with a modest background in fashion, this former apprentice of designer Hindy Weber has a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design & Marketing Management from the SoFA Design Institute. She also took a summer course at L'Ecolé de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, focusing on Moulage Débutants (Draping for Beginners) and Moulage Avancé (Draping Advanced Level).

NEW NOW NEXT talks to this outstanding artist and discovers the genius work she has in store for her premiere in Bench Fashion Week, which opens today.

What's your Bench Fashion Week collection all about? How many pieces?

GS: "Tanan" is a collection that draws from the private and tender moments of romantic relationships. Past the grand gestures into a well-worn love, made soft by the routine and quiet of a life built together. It will be 23 looks mix of women and men.

What's your inspiration for the collection and why?

GS: This collection is inspired by our clients who've allowed us the privilege of sharing into their more treasured moments in order to create an outfit worth wearing and treasuring on their wedding days.

Building on the foundations of Ternocon 2023, Tanan explores the same kind of nostalgic fabrication, using the colors and stripes found in the archival photos of women in ternos, as well as the film Hihintayin Kita sa Langit directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna.

(It is) a collection built on quiet sentimentality (with) multi-use garments, pieces and separates that can be slipped on with ease and paired with inherited garments or an everyday dress. Scarves, veils, gather skirts, done in the atelier's signature style. Tanan is an act of poetry, transforming the mundane into a pleasurable act.

What's something new that fashion people can expect?

GS: New techniques and fabrics.

What materials did you use and why?

GS: We've used a variety of diaphanous fabrics — some new and some that we've accumulated through the years — piña shifu, piña silk, organza, cottons. We wanted to experiment with other fabrics together with piña — the transparencies and the play of tones and textures.

In design, what's your signature style?

GS: Sentimental, nostalgic, peaceful, handcrafted.

What makes this collection different from the other designers/brands?

GS: I would say it's my point of view and experiences. Words may be the same or similar, but the expression is different.

How long did it take you to finish the collection? Any challenges?

GS: If we include the research of ideas, I would say more than six months. Challenge is the time of production and sometimes the pieces work and sometimes it does not when you get the final output. It just a matter of having control and being at peace at the same time.

How long have you been making clothes? Do you have any mentors or did you apprentice with anyone?

GS: I was already making clothes in college and after but the start of the brand was in 2016 October.

I've been privileged to be under the tutelage and mentorship of Hindy Weber (my first fashion job) which I learned about taste in fashion and beyond. Throughout the years, I've been honored to be under the mentorship of Jojie Lloren and Pidge Reyes of FAB creatives, Richard Papa of SoFA Design Insitute, Joey Samson, Inno Sotto and Gino Gonzales for Ternocon 2023 and Melvin Mojica. Long or short, each one who has shared their wisdom with me has contributed to who I am as a designer — in the creative and business side.

What is your design aesthetic and philosophy?

GS: "A Love Letter to the Philippines" is our guiding principle to all things we've made and we will do.

Is this your first Bench fashion week? What makes this one special?

GS: Yes, this is our first Bench Fashion Week. It's the continuation of our Ternocon 2023 collection and this collection has a joyful tone — smitten, I would say.