By Dara Clariza Evangelista
Every so often, you come across a brand that feels like more than just a label, it feels like a story you want to tell people about. That’s exactly the feeling you get with Vivo Handmade. At first glance, it’s a collection of beautifully woven pieces. Look closer, and you’ll see it’s also a movement: a way of keeping traditional Negrense weaving alive, making it relevant for today, and ensuring the people behind each thread are truly valued.
Vivo Handmade is the passion project of Vida Hayes, who will be the first to tell you she’s “not your typical designer.”
“I’m really learning about our culture,” she says. “You need to be in their shoes to understand them deeper, why they work the way they do. It’s a survival mindset for many of them, but once you inject the value of what they’re doing and the purpose behind it, it’s huge.”
That understanding didn’t come overnight. Vida started the brand with a clear goal: weaving should be more than a day’s pay. The artisans she works with, from Valladolid, Manapla, Cadiz, and Pulupundan, deserve fair wages, security, and the dignity that comes with knowing their work matters.
“The missing gap for them to stay somehow is giving them the benefits, the SSS, the employment security, and treating them with flexibility and respect for their expertise,” Vida explains.
Her role goes beyond designing patterns or counting fabric. She spends time in the communities, speaking directly with the women who make each piece. She listens to their stories, learns about their challenges, and gives them creative freedom to interpret designs.
“Even as a founder, I learn from them,” she says. “You have to exercise patience and be flexible. It stretches you, but if you’re in their shoes, you need to have a deeper understanding.”
The work itself is rooted in heritage, but never stuck in the past. The brand’s reimagining of the iconic Hablon blends traditional weaving with fresh, modern patterns. Every piece is slow-made, with attention to detail that you can see in the weave and feel in the weight. As Vida puts it, “We weave stories. The product they bought is not something that a machine made.”
Vivo’s commitment to slow fashion is just as important as its designs. It’s about creating fewer, better pieces that last, an intentional contrast to fast, disposable trends. For Vida, slow fashion isn’t just a style choice; it’s a way to connect people to the makers, the process, and the cultural heritage behind their clothes.
“It humbled us a lot,” she reflects. “Sometimes you’re at the edge of asking yourself, ‘Am I still doing the right thing?’ And then you hear from the artisans or even from my kids , ‘Yes, Mom, you continue.’ That keeps me going.”
What makes Vivo Handmade special is how it bridges past and present. It’s deeply rooted in Negros’ weaving traditions yet fully aware of how to bring those traditions into the modern wardrobe. Every piece carries with it the pride of the person who made it, the history of a community, and the care of a brand that believes in doing things right.
And maybe that’s the magic, knowing that when you wear Vivo Handmade, you’re not just wearing a beautiful woven piece. You’re carrying someone’s story. You’re keeping a craft alive. And you’re proving that style doesn’t have to choose between looking forward and looking back.
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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.
Read our cover story here.
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