Epson prints Filipino heritage into fashion

Epson Philippines Corporation has partnered with Filipino fashion label Urban Label by Maria & Co to launch a new textile collection that transforms Philippine cultural heritage into contemporary wearable art.

The collaboration, supported by ES Print Media Inc., brings together Epson’s digital textile printing technology and the creative vision of designer Beatriz Nicole Benadera. The collection draws inspiration from the Waling-Waling, known as the Queen of Philippine Flowers and widely regarded as a symbol of resilience and beauty in Filipino culture.

Benadera said the Waling-Waling became the central design element of the collection, appearing in garments that blend traditional references with modern silhouettes. Inspired by Filipino identity across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the designer used textiles as the primary medium for storytelling, allowing prints, color, and fabric placement to define each piece rather than relying on embellishments.

The designs were produced using Epson’s SureColor SC-F9430H digital textile printer, which allowed photographic images of the Waling-Waling to be translated into detailed, large-scale prints. The technology enabled single-output printing on wide fabric panels, preserving intricate details while maintaining visual continuity across flowing garments.

Epson said the use of digital textile printing also supports more mindful production practices by allowing on-demand printing and reducing excess material waste.

“Working with Epson completely changed my creative process,” said Benadera. “It allowed textile design to become part of each garment and shifted my approach from designing around limitations to designing with confidence.”

Epson Philippines president and director Masako Kusama said the partnership reflects how technology can help designers balance tradition and innovation.

“Epson has decades of experience in precision printing,” Kusama said. “Our solutions help designers execute ideas with clarity while supporting mindful production.”

The collaboration highlights a growing movement in Filipino fashion that combines cultural storytelling with modern technology, creating designs that are rooted in heritage while looking toward the future.