Here Are The Designers Worn By Cup Of Joe For Billboard Philippines
The Baguio-bred band is known for brewing vibrant and distinctive onstage outfits, and their looks for Billboard Philippines’ December issue perfectly exemplify this.
Photographed by Renzo Navarro.
On GABRIEL: MAR SEMILLANO blazer and shorts, COS button-down shirt and CLARKS shoes. On RAPHAELL: GENES & HAILS button-down shirt and vest MANGO trousers. On XEN: RIMA SARMIENTO vest MANGO button-down shirt CLARKS shoes. On CJ: ORIAS blazer MANGO button-down shirt, sweater and trousers. On GIAN: EAST OF EDEN button-down shirt, necktie and trousers ORIAS corset.
Photographed by Renzo Navarro.
On GABRIEL: MAR SEMILLANO blazer and shorts, COS button-down shirt and CLARKS shoes. On RAPHAELL: GENES & HAILS button-down shirt and vest MANGO trousers. On XEN: RIMA SARMIENTO vest MANGO button-down shirt CLARKS shoes. On CJ: ORIAS blazer MANGO button-down shirt, sweater and trousers. On GIAN: EAST OF EDEN button-down shirt, necktie and trousers ORIAS corset.
Coming in hot, Cup of Joe is steaming in style.
The Baguio-bred indie hitmakers are well-renowned for their distinct and bright sense of style; this is especially exemplified on their latest cover look for the December issue of Billboard Philippines. Each of the members’ individual colors were brought to an entirely new light through these carefully crafted looks, styled and directed by Kurt Abonal.
Most of the pieces featured in this shoot — an homage to the uniquely patriotic fashion of the band — are crafted by the hands of local designers, from established names in the industry to emerging artists of today. These designers, through their well-constructed and homegrown pieces of art, contribute a contemporary and modern flair to the cultural landscape of the Philippines.
With this in mind, let us introduce you to the designers behind this iconic look of Cup of Joe.
Rima Sarmiento
RIMA SARMIENTO: Courtesy of @rimasarmiento, photographed by Mark Neto Diaz
Graduate of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, Rima Sarmiento is no stranger to editorial fashion. Masterfully crafting pieces worn by Pio and Raffy of Lola Amour in the previous Indie and Alternative Issue of Billboard Philippines, he is behind the stunning vest donned by Xen of Cup of Joe on the December issue’s cover. This designer’s pieces don’t skimp on maximalism in their avant garde and vibrant personalities, yet maintain a careful and coordinated hand in their fit and proportions.
Orias
ORIAS: Courtesy of @oriasstudios, photographed by Rashied Clores
Structured and timeless, Orias’ pieces take Philippine men’s fashion to an entirely new level. Giving the classic tailored suit silhouette a fresh spin by incorporating striking Filipino elements, Vin Orias is shaping cultural hallmarks, one contemporary bespoke item at a time. If his style suits your fancy, Orias Essentials offers a modern take on the classic woven bag — and stands out as a “quiet luxury” statement piece for your everyday outfits. If you crave his structured silhouettes, Orias Studios offers custom tailoring services, as well as ready-to-wear items.
East of Eden
EAST OF EDEN: Courtesy of @exploreeastofeden, photographed by Eric Friday and Ben Anthony Bagalihug
Patterns on patterns on patterns — that’s what Fern Garcia of East of Eden specializes in breaking the conventions by curating avant garde and vivid pieces. Whether it be the eye-catching and elegant tweed garments donned by KZ Tandingan for her “Toyo” music videoMusic VideoA short film that accompanies a song, combining performance, storytelling, and visual style to promote the music. Music videos shape an artist's image, can drive viral success and fan theories,Go to Music Video Glossary or the simple but stated white button-up worn by Gian Bernardino in Cup of Joe’s cover shoot for Billboard Philippines, Garcia pays attention to the most intricate of details.
Mar Semillano
MAR SEMILLANO: Courtesy of @marsemillano_, photographed by Fashion Photographers of the Philippines, Incorporated
Mar Semillano is an emerging designer, up-and-coming in the Philippine fashion sphere. Another alumnus of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, this designer plays around with the frills and thrills of texture and fabrics. Semillano takes the conventions of Filipino designs and turns it on its head — adding an edgy and somewhat feminine touch to each of her pieces. Distinct for her use of the sampaguita motif in her designs, this artist stitches together each individual flower to add a unique flair.
Genes and Hails
GENES & HAILS: Courtesy of @genesandhails, photographed by Xavier Lancelot Mallari
Genes and Hails has been upping the ante in the ever-shifting local fashion scene since 2017. Using each tailored piece like a blank canvas, this designer crafts almost statuesque silhouettes out of reworked local fabrics, stitching together the enigma that is the Philippine cultural identity. You can find their pieces in the mecca for Philippine creatives, the Purveyr Fair. Their tapestry-like woven textures stand out as a modern and contemporary hallmark of our island visuals.
By.Enye
BY.ENYE: Courtesy of @by.enye
If the barong polos seen on the members of Cup of Joe caught your eye, the local brand By.Enye may just be your next closet staple. Constructing timeless and yet contemporary pieces that play as an ode to Filipino traditional wear, this brand uses local and breathable fabrics suitable for curating stylish outfits in spite of the humid weather. Their first collection, inclusive of the items worn by the members of Cup of Joe, are available for purchase with custom sizing through Instagram.
NiñoFranco
NIÑOFRANCO: Courtesy of @ninofranco.ph, photographed by Haian Naya
Combining Filipino ethnic visual motifs with the modern silhouette, NiñoFranco seek to bring our cultural roots and heritage to the everyday fashion enthusiast. This brand is no stranger to editorial fashion, as well, as they’d been featured on the covers and pages of multiple publications throughout the many years since their inception. Headed and established by the creative direction of Wilson Limon, the brand’s mission seeks to foster connections with ethnolinguistic — mainly in Mindanao, hence the Mindanaoan designs.