On this blog, we are featuring a local brand from the Philippines – one that proudly embraces the art of handmade – as they literally produce each of their products by hand and with love.
Habi – which is a Filipino word for “woven, started as a local maker of shoes from upcycled woven cloth, but eventually ventured into an overall lifestyle brand that advocates responsible consumerism, social involvement, and local pride. They aim for their products to inspire their customers to live and walk happy, responsibly, and ethically. Let’s meet founder, Janine, as she talks more about Habi:
What’s the story behind the shop name?
Habi means “weave” in Filipino, thus we figured that it would be a great brand name. Other than that, it’s pretty easy to remember and has a positive sound to it. Our branding is positive, colorful, and happy. Our tagline is: Walk Happy. Walk Habi.
What are your top 3 favorite picks from your shop?
My personal favorites are the classic espadrilles in Black and Gray/Yellow. I also love our latest collection, Luxe, which features casual sandals perfect for everyday wear.
Can you share with us the process of creating these items?
Our products are made with upcycled woven material, which we source from skilled communities here in Manila. Particularly, we are in partnership with urban weavers from a place called Payatas, and this partnership serves as a great source of empowerment and livelihood for them as well.
The woven materials are then transferred to our manufacturer in Marikina, where the rest of the shoes are assembled. We’ve added other sustainable materials (for our flagship espadrilles) like recycled airplane tires and woven abaca lining.
What do you love most about what you do?
What I love most about what I do is the relationships and friendships that I’ve formed because of it—from my passionate business partners to our talented community weavers. I take pleasure in simply exchanging thoughts and ideas with people who believe in the same vision as Habi – to create partnerships for the betterment of society.
Is there anything you dislike about it?
I can’t pinpoint anything I dislike, however, I can say that building a brand is not easy and sometimes, it can wear you down. We’ve had our ups and downs. That’s why it’s always important to keep yourself grounded on what your goals are, and have a great and supportive community around you.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was transitioning from being a college project (which Habi started as) to a full-fledged business. Certain factors we had to consider were financial constraints, community issues, and legal registration.
However, we were able to overcome it by taking one step at a time, and learning from the mistakes we’ve encountered as we delved into growing Habi further. This includes learning how to systematize operations more efficiently and dealing with our stakeholders more professionally and not in a “charity or dole-out” manner.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in almost everything around me. But I also re-energize myself by traveling around the country and abroad.
Your message to customers and friends:
Live the life you deserve to live. Don’t just let your ideas remain inside you, share it and you never know where it can lead you.
Find Habi online: Website | Facebook | Instagram