OPINION

Defining milestones

The local fashion industry has recently had a season of milestones as designers, ready-to-wear brands and institutions have celebrated surviving the test of time.

Luis Espiritu

The local fashion industry has recently had a season of milestones as designers, ready-to-wear brands and institutions have celebrated surviving the test of time.  One great example is small boutique brand K & Company, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary on 15 November.

Aligned with its three decades of RTW fashion was the opening of its newest boutique at Opus Mall and the debut of its Holiday 2025 Collection, Legacy. The anniversary gathered longtime patrons, muses and new faces, who have become part of the brand’s evolving story. Guests explored the Opus Mall boutique, where each piece reflected K & Company’s signature approach to craftsmanship, thoughtful design and detail. 

Among the attendees were Daphne Oseña-Paez and Vicky Morales, two of the brand’s earliest inspirations, alongside a new generation of entrepreneurs, creatives and tastemakers.

Daphne Oseña Paez and Vicky Morales.
Anna and Suzette Bautista.

Founded in 1995 by Katherine Cheng, K & Company began as a small atelier built on a simple intention: to create clothing that felt personal, balancing strength, softness and purpose. Three decades later, the brand has grown into a trusted name in understated Filipino luxury — dressing women through careers, celebrations and defining moments with quiet confidence.

Katherine and Stanley Cheng.
Amanda Griffin with son.
Gallahan East and Bryan Laroza.
John Tee.

Cheng says, “Thirty years. It’s hard to put into words what this journey has meant. The heart of K & Company has always been the women who have walked with us and trusted us to dress them for the moments they cherish most.” As Cheng shared, the milestone is both a reflection and a beginning — a renewed vision for expansion, collaboration and a future shaped by the women who continue to wear K & Company.

Fel Garcia, Alexis Cheng and Lia Cruz.
Francesca and Patricia Co.

The celebration also marked the unveiling of Legacy, inspired by the women and milestones that shaped the brand’s journey.   According to Cheng, “Legacy was created to honor our 30-year journey, celebrating the women who have grown with us, the moments that shaped our brand, and the values that guide everything we do.” The nostalgic yet fashion-forward collection featured reimagined silhouettes in tulle, lace, polysilk, linen, tweed and hand-beaded details. In the passing of years and seasons, the brand remains humbled to be blessed. Cheng ends, “Looking back on 30 years, I think of the countless stories our pieces have quietly been part of. That is the true gift of this journey, and the reason we continue to create with heart.”