Bayo and Bayo Foundation are making big, fashionable strides towards sustainability
It’s the dawn of a new day for fashion. An industry where excess and profusion once thrived, the sartorial scene is now making a U-turn and listening to the call of sustainability. Pioneering this new chapter locally are proudly homegrown brand, Bayo, and its sister organization, Bayo Foundation. The Journey to Zero campaign aims a zero waste fashion. This is to encourage modern Filipinos to make smart, sustainable fashion choices while uplifting local craftsmanship.
Louie Lagon admits that the zero waste fashion initiative was planted by the seed of self-awareness. The Managing Editor of Bayo Foundation also shares, “We realized that we’ve been accumulating so much waste and contributing so much to the problem of pollution.”
However, along with this realization came the opportunity to spark change. “We also realized that we had a greater capability to be part of the solution,” Lagon explains. “That’s when we really began to think about ways we can work to address these problems, and that’s where the Journey to Zero campaign began.”
Zero Waste Collection
Every step of the campaign centers on achieving a sustainable approach to fashion. From spreading awareness on the growing need for sartorial consciousness to designing zero-waste collections for the Filipina consumer.
Earlier this year, Bayo took a major step in this direction. They launched a collection made completely of upcycled and hand-woven fabrics in collaboration with renowned fashion designer, Francis Libiran. With the designer’s trained eye and understanding of Bayo’s aesthetics, each comfortable, sophisticated piece was created without generating waste. With the desire to weave sustainability in every piece, they reduced textile waste in this special line. They reused fabric scraps. Then, they converted these upcycled weaves into stylish pieces and wearable clothing.
“While bearing sustainable fashion in mind, the design inspiration of the collection revolves around the idea of introducing consumers to fashion that is not only for cultural purposes but also for everyday living,” Libiran shares. “The collection plays with the combination of different colors and patterns that resemble Filipino textiles with modern silhouette which will fit every Filipino.”
Going One Step Further
Despite making valiant efforts, Bayo Foundation stresses that there is more to this sustainability initiative than providing consciously produced sartorial options. A sense of responsibility also falls on the shoulders of consumers, who should continuously make smarter choices with their purchases. As Lagon explains, “We also need customers and the market in general to accept these practices and ideas. For us to reach our goal of full sustainability means that this has to be a two-way commitment with our customers.”
Moving forward, Bayo and Bayo Foundation will be collaborating not only with fashion designers, but with local communities as well.
To know more about the sustainable fabrics and where to source it, contact Bayo Foundation at info_journeytozero@bayo.com.ph.
Also read: Get your kids to care for the environment with this book!