Idyllic Summers' first collection also features bobbin laces from Western Visayas and mother-of-pearl embellishments from South Cotabato.

If you're homesick, why not start a brand? That's exactly what Steffi Cua did. Formerly a fashion buyer at London's famous Harrods, Cua aims to mesh her experience working under international luxury brands and retailers with her staunch support for Filipino traditional crafts, indigenous communities, and artisans. Her resortwear line Idyllic Summers is the realization of her goal&mdash;here, L'Officiel Philippines speaks to Cua about her label's conception and its vibrant, lovingly local craftsmanship.

Photo by Paolo Crodua, courtesy of Idyllic Summers

How did the idea of starting Idyllic Summers come to you?
&ldquo;Idyllic Summers is an ode to the Philippines after missing home while living in London. I was working in the womenswear buying team of Harrods in Knightsbridge, being the only Southeast Asian and Filipino working in the head office. My team and I were responsible for curating luxury ready-to-wear brands like Balmain, Ala&iuml;a, and The Row for our discerning clientele. Prior to this, I was responsible for the wholesale and distribution of emerging brands such as Peter Pilotto, Gabriela Hearst, and Koch&eacute;, travelling to Paris during fashion weeks, attending shows, and meeting with Net-a-Porter, Selfridges, and MyTheresa buyers. I&rsquo;m trying to use this contemporary experience of mine to refresh and support our traditional crafts. The brand is a juxtaposition of many things: East and West, old and new, refined and raw.&rdquo;

Tell us a little bit about the craftsmanship process.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;We spent two years travelling to different locations in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, absorbing and immersing ourselves in a variety of communities, skills, and techniques. For the first collection, we&rsquo;ve collaborated with women and communities in Visayas and Mindanao. It features bobbin laces from Western Visayas, mother-of-pearl embellishments from South Cotabato, and handmade embroidery from Negros. Production is limited. As you can imagine, everything is hand-embroidered and embellished, so it takes time and really embodies the essence of slow, mindful fashion.&rdquo;

Shop Idyllic Summers online <a href="https://www.idyllicsummers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Click through the gallery below for a glimpse at the brand's first collection.

This Brand Works With Negros Weavers To Create Resortwear

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