By Joy Evangelica Agoylo
In an era of fast fashion, HeritageFinds stands out by bringing Filipino heritage to the forefront of modern style, and through slow fashion.
But more than just a fashion label, HeritageFinds is a platform for Filipino indigenous identity, cultural preservation, and socially conscious entrepreneurship.
Founded by Kathlyn Kissy Sumaylo-Pearlman, the brand offers handwoven apparel and curated designs made from Philippine weaves and indigenous fabrics, crafted for contemporary wear.
“Our collections feature modern Filipiniana as well as workwear and smart casual that really use indigenous weaves and heritage embroidery from the north of the Philippines,” Pearlman shared in an interview with STYLISH.
Pearlman’s connection to the craft is personal—her roots trace back to Abra, where part of her family comes from. She notes significant innovation in the weaves from Abra, particularly in color and texture.
“You’ll see more color combinations now,” she says, attributing this to the availability of commercial threads and support from other organizations. While traditional patterns like the kusikus in binakol remain, new designs—such as the textured tiniri weave—have emerged from the classic kantarines, making the textiles more appealing for modern wear while respecting community-approved customs.
Having lived and worked in Cambodia and Myanmar, Pearlman brings a regional and Asian perspective to Philippine artisan industries.
“In Cambodia, there’s been a more artisanal market… slow fashion, using cotton, a bit more both traditional and kind of contemporary take,” she said. This exposure helped shape her understanding of how heritage can be preserved while evolving.
HeritageFinds initially grew through close friends and networks but is now reaching a broader market. “We work with still a niche market,” Pearlman said. “But right now, we’re really positioning ourselves to connect to working women professionals and aspiring women who want something that they can use to express their personalities and also as workwear.”
For Pearlman, indigenous heritage is still largely underrepresented in mainstream fashion. “It’s often treated as an accessory rather than the heart of the story,” Pearlman says. “We want these indigenous crafts at the core of the piece—not just a detail—so the communities and their stories stay visible,” she adds. The brand positions itself in a broader conversation about authenticity and diversity in contemporary Filipiniana.
Pearlman’s background in development work deeply informs how she runs her social enterprise. “I’ve been working in various platforms and capacities around really improving the lives and conditions of vulnerable groups,” she says. That development mindset now shapes HeritageFinds, which bridges fashion and community empowerment. “We know that we’re not only accountable to whoever is going to fund us, but to stakeholders, to artisans and communities that also rely on the reciprocal and collaborative relationship that we have with them.” Through sustainable textile practices and grassroots partnerships, HeritageFinds fosters cultural pride and economic empowerment.
Filipina social entrepreneurs, Pearlman notes, bring a unique blend of grit, creativity, and purpose to their work. What sets them apart is how they navigate both formal coalitions and informal networks to drive their missions. “They’re also very reflective,” she says, adding that this self-awareness, though sometimes harsh, is key to their growth and impact.
Looking ahead, Pearlman dreams of scaling up to support both artisans and the broader ecosystem. “If I have the millions, maybe upgrade some of the loom weaving practices… just to improve the productivity, inefficiency of some of the looms,” she says. She envisions a creative studio for artisan collaboration, experimentation with natural fibers, and design development for international markets.
As an active member of the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Coalition, Pearlman supports the PRESENT Bill, which champions social enterprises as drivers of inclusive growth. “Many of these are women-led or women-benefiting,” she says, noting that the bill’s support systems and fair trade principles could be transformative for enterprises like hers and the communities they serve.
HeritageFinds has been one of the local brands featured in the series of bazaar events by Stylish Magazine and Coro Hotel called Artisan Market and Artisan Weekend.
You may follow HeritageFinds of Facebook at facebook.com/HeritageFindsPH and on Instagram @heritagefinds.
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