For the very first time, a full interview. Please read....
* Where does the name Eairth come from? "The name EAIRTH came from an early morning poetry clutch between my aunt and sister Melanie. We were figuring out how to combine the artistic visions of all of us siblings . We are all earth and air signs.. so the combination of these 2 words became an acronym, EAIRTH . It was perfect as it summated something green, organic and yet abstract".
How was it conceived/conceptualized?
"The whole thing started in a very effortless funny way.. Was on a long road trip with my aunt and uncle heading up north through Isabella, working at a friend's farm for a few days then searching for waves..I had only a few white t-shirts with me and some bikinis....so I started ripping up the white t-shirts and deconstructing them... creating knots and fringes as we went along the trip...ended up making several spectacular pieces and even my aunt wanted me to make some for her. This was the beginning of the very 1st collection.. The anchor was truly when I was exposed to the Mangyan tribe in Mindoro during a hike through the jungle. Stumbling into their little village.. I saw one of the Mangyan girls wearing a thrashed, weathered ACDC rock tee shirt with a primitive woven frill skirt.. she had a machete (knife) roped around her waist ... I was so inspired by this that I had to do it... the sun drenched colors all faded out... greys and this sort of chalky coral and stained whites....so we went on that trip to South Africa to look for natural pigment sources... having a difficult time figuring out how to manage the importation of mud, clay and tea.... decided to look for resources here in the Philippines. We found it...
Realized that we were able to extract endless colors from leaves, fallen wood/barks, roots, and flowers.. even coconut husk.
So we set up our own dye house, where we source our pigments through various tribes such as the Mangyans and Ifugao tribes. We work on a fair trade system with them where they harvest crude materials for us and we pay them for the harvest, allowing them to sustain their communities and not taking them out of it. I also employ a handful of artisans, who I have trained to do some innovative knitting techniques with tee shirt fabrics. These are all done by hand. We support small cottage industry manufacturing balanced with factory cut and sewn pieces. Each piece is hand dyed and washed by hand then sun-dried. We try as much not to use any machineries in the dyeing process,. it's like cooking a stew. All embroideries are done by hand".
Where is it made?
"All fabrics and trims are made in the Philippines.. Except for the denim which comes from Italy and Spain..".
*What inspires you? How do you go about designing each collection?
"Wow... big question. It constantly changes.. right now the underwater world inspires me.. being always on top of the water when surfing , you never really get to hang out with what;s under.. recently went diving in Davao, very far south of the Philippines and discovered the genius topography of the underworld.. I am loving the texture of the sea plants and corals mixed with the reflective, vivid colors of fish...I also am twisted about the idea of unisex clothing.. I love the look of androgyny ..the way a man's pant fits a woman, vice versa...
I don't really think with a "collection" in mind. I'm always collecting stuff.. tears, poems, garbage... whatever i cross that makes me tingle.. i keep baskets of stuff at the studio and also have a monster board by my work table where i pin things on constantly. eventually the board forms some sort of feeling .. a picture.. then it begins..".
*Where are you selling?
We are selling to select stores in U.S.(NYC: pixie market, jussarra lee, kaight, oak LA: fred segal, kin SF: MAC, cielo, august JAPAN: cul de paris
What is your price range? "$100-250 for tees, $220-$275 jeans/pants $300-$1000 dresses.".
For men and women? "Both.".
* Any plans for expansion? "Yes.. we are presently showing the collection to a few select stores in Paris and Milan for fall 08. Also looking forward to opening a small atelier in Paris . For the love of surfing, I am designing a tight group of surfy gear and tiny bikinis for next spring 09 as well as very special range of hand tufted and bobbin lace lingerie in cotton. super delicate.".
My sister got this really cool Whyred spring/summer coat. It seems to be made out of linen with some kind of glitter thread. Really nice...
After a while, we decided to go to the Vogue party...we weren't invited, but that didn't really stop us. We had pizza at Princi and went to Corso Como 10. I found this bag at the party and took it... Here comes the funny part, we got in because of this bag. The party itself was like a common mingle party with fashionistas. Carla and Franca Sozzani were there and their friends. That was kinda cool. They are so like each other but still so different. I already miss Milano. Well except for the freaking weather... Me and my friend had to walk back for an hour in the rain... because there were no taxis available and no public transportation...
This museum in Toronto by Daniel Liebeskind is one of the most beautiful museum expansions that I've ever seen...soooo wanna go....
This is a tribute to my friend Kriska...thanks for the party and enjoy London! Mille baci...
We just flew over the Alps and the weather was perfect. I was hoping that it would stay this way the four days that I would actually spend in Milano.
The following posts will be about my trip to Milano. This was something that I really needed. I feel all relaxed and happy. So crazy...and it's not like I have been taking it easy. In fact I've been doing stuff from 8 in the mornings until 3 past midnight almost every single day.
I used to work for Rizzo...for a very long time. I had a blast and they were great! I have a love for loafers and I'm thinking about this red one that they have...cheap at only SEK895. What do you think? Too pimpy?
