Gabby Garcia&rsquo;s Tahak collection bridges Filipino heritage and urban sophistication, debuting at New York Fashion Week for FILIPINXT.

For Filipino designer Gabby Garcia, celebrating the Philippines&rsquo; rich cultural heritage is at the heart of his clothing brand, Tagpi. Meaning &ldquo;to patch together,&rdquo; Tagpi embodies a mission to unite artisans and their traditional crafts &mdash; a vision skillfully brought to life in Garcia&rsquo;s latest collection, showcased at New York Fashion Week for FILIPINXT. 
Talking with L&rsquo;Officiel Philippines, Garcia takes us through the inspiration behind his newest collection and what it means to showcase Filipino culture on a platform as big as New York &mdash; a city where people dream of making their mark on the world.

In creating this collection, Tahak &mdash; which means journey &mdash; Garcia emphasizes the essence of connection and journey. &ldquo;It bridges the tropical landscapes of the Philippines with the bustling urban energy of New York City. As a Filipino designer, I wanted to create a narrative that speaks to both my heritage and the global, modern traveler,&rdquo; he shares.

Inspired by the beauty of the Philippine islands, the pieces showcase various shades of blue, reminiscent of the crystal-clear waters that surround them. &ldquo;The lush textures, the warm, breezy atmosphere, and the rich cultural materials&nbsp; such as handwoven fabrics, mother-of-pearl, and banana fiber beads &mdash; all play a role in this collection,&rdquo; Garcia explains. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve taken these elements and reimagined them for a cosmopolitan lifestyle, blending them into contemporary silhouettes that reflect the urban sophistication of New York.&rdquo;

Much like the journey to New York, each piece tells a story of movement, gradually transitioning from flowing, tropical-inspired styles to structured, city-ready designs. &ldquo;Tahak is about celebrating both the warmth of home and the dynamism of city living &mdash; combining cultural heritage with modern elegance for the global traveler.&rdquo;

Garcia&rsquo;s design philosophy is deeply rooted in an appreciation for cultural techniques and materials. Understanding the resources available is essential, especially in a country like the Philippines, where artisanal craftsmanship runs deep, he explains. He highlights the richness of local communities, each with its own unique traditions and materials that remain largely undiscovered. &ldquo;By discovering these hidden gems, I can work toward bringing them into the spotlight.&rdquo;
Once he&rsquo;s gathered enough information, Garcia lays out all the materials at his disposal, carefully assessing their qualities and considering how they can be used in creative ways. &ldquo;I approach each project with a mindset of exploration,&rdquo; he shares. &ldquo;I enjoy the process of experimentation and transformation, drawing inspiration from both traditional methods and modern design concepts. Ultimately, my goal is to patch together the past and present in a way that brings new life to our rich heritage while pushing the boundaries of what&rsquo;s possible.&rdquo;

When discussing his presentation at New York Fashion Week, Garcia reflects on how significant the platform is for showcasing Filipino artisanship. For him, Tagpi has always been about celebrating Philippine craftsmanship, and he sees New York Fashion Week as the perfect platform for sharing these stories. &ldquo;Each piece we create tells a unique narrative,&rdquo; he says, adding that through every stitch, the goal is to bring the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines to a global audience. Ultimately, Garcia believes it&rsquo;s not just about fashion &mdash; it&rsquo;s about honoring the traditions that have shaped him and introducing these talents to the world in a meaningful way.

‘Tagpi’ Celebrates Filipino Craftsmanship at New York Fashion Week

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