I truly believe that accessories have the power to transform outfits and give you a confidence boost,” says Plural & Co. founder and designer Alexis Garcia.
Garcia, who is in her senior year at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, is working for a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship.
She launched her brand of handmade accessories using local materials in 2016.
One Sunday night in a bazaar in a mall in the south, these accessories laid out in a stall caught our eye because they had whimsy and yet were simple. So cool. We had to seek out the maker.
“The brand’s vision is to share arts and crafts, promote love of local products and inspire people to choose hand-made,” she adds.
Her earrings line, with 250 designs, go from P200 to P300.
To name her brand, Garcia wanted one “that represents choices.” This is what Plural & Co. does: It gives women a diverse range of styles and materials and the flexibility to wear them the way they like.
“I try to incorporate bold tones with natural and earth tones,” she says. Materials, from wood, shell to textile, are sourced all over the Philippines.
Plural & Co. is working to become an environment-friendly brand. It’s minimizing its use of plastic in its products and packaging and focusing on materials that are natural, sustainable, with minimal carbon footprint.
Garcia says, “We will explore more ways to be eco-friendly and advocate the #ZeroWasteLifestyle.”
This is just the beginning. “We aim to have our own independent store in Manila,” she says. After college, Garcia plans to take up her masters and even study extensive jewelry design abroad.
“I truly believe that if you put your soul, mind and heart into something you’re very passionate about, it will prosper beyond your expectations and imagination.”
Credits:
Photography Glette-Yzak Muring
Styling Luis Carlo San Juan
Editorial assistants Chloe Combinido and Allen Adriano
Makeup Theresa Padin
Hairstyle JA Feliciano
Model Casey Merritt
Fashion by Forever 21
