By Dara Clariza Evangelista
One of the brands that instantly caught my eye at ArteFino was Follow Your Heart, a proudly Filipino bag label by Anna Antonio. I also saw them again in the MaArte Fair. Their pieces are unique, nostalgic, and full of personality, each one feels like carrying a slice of Filipino life on your arm.
The designs are rooted in everyday Pinoy culture, embroidered with familiar icons like the taho vendor, jeepney, fishball cart, sorbetero, and tricycles. But what makes them extra special is how they blend playful storytelling with practical, well-made silhouettes that are perfect for everyday use or travel.
Personally, my absolute favorite is the Sardines Weekender Bag. It’s spacious and sturdy, but the design is what makes it stand out. Against a neutral base with black accents, a school of embroidered sardines in soft blues, whites, and silvers swim across the front, simple yet striking. It feels like something you’d proudly carry on a weekend escape, equal parts functional and conversation-starter.
Another design I really loved is the Taho Vendor Bag, which features an intricately embroidered figure of a magtataho balancing his pails of sweet silken tofu. I can’t get over how detailed it is, the straw hat, the buckets, even the tiny touches of color. It’s a bag that doesn’t just look good, it tells a story. Every time I look at it, it sparks a little wave of nostalgia.
From totes to structured handbags to travel-sized weekender bags, each Follow Your Heart piece is brimming with Filipino soul. And beyond the charm of the designs, what makes the brand shine is its mission: empowering local communities of Nanays, Lolas, and artisan weavers through sustainable livelihood. Every bag is truly made with heart.
ArteFino is always a treasure trove of homegrown talent, but Follow Your Heart was one of the brands I loved, loved, loved the most. Their bags are not just accessories, they’re wearable stories that celebrate our culture in the cutest, most creative ways.
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Miss Jay-Ann is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine’s special Women In Style cover edition as she talks about her business, vlogging, and her luxury bag collection — from Chanel to Hermès.
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