Modern traveler

FilipiNXT, the premiere platform in New York for designers from the Philippines, once again featured “Tagpi” (Tagpi’s first was in September last year) as part of this year’s impressive lineup of designer retail brands together with first-timers Bagoyan and Edited Limited X Adante Layesa and mainstay Bessie Besana.

“Tahak,” Tagpi’s latest collection named after a word that embodies the essence of connection and journey, unfolded last 8 February. The show conceptually bridged the tropical forest and landscapes of the Philippines with the bustling urban energy of NYC.

Gabby Garcia of the brand says, “As a Filipino designer, I wanted to create a narrative that speaks to both my heritage and the global, modern traveler.”

With the collection, the vibrant beauty of the Philippine islands is channeled through lush textures, a warm, breezy atmosphere, and rich cultural materials like handwoven fabrics, mother-of-pearl and banana fiber beads.

Elements are reimagined for a cosmopolitan lifestyle blended into contemporary silhouettes reflecting the Big Apple’s urban sophistication. Each piece is a story of movement and transformation, much like the journey from the Philippines to New York.

The designs shift from flowing, tropical-inspired styles to structured, city-ready pieces. They feature the yin and yang balance between the laid-back spirit of the tropics and the fast-paced energy of city life.

“Tahak” is a jet-setting fashion and style celebration of both cultural heritage and modern elegance for the global traveler.