Marga Nograles: Finding joy in familiar, comfy clothes

“My Kaayo mix-and-match pajamas. I used to wear these out before the pandemic.”

 

When she’s not in workout clothes, Marga Nograles lives in her mix-and-match pajamas these days, the same sets she used to wear out on errands before the pandemic.

The founder of the social enterprise Kaayo Modern Mindanao says she feels a sense of normalcy slipping into her familiar, comfortable clothes. Her pajamas come in happy colors that somehow lift her spirits. “I love the colors, the shimmer, and the feeling that I am dressed up but not,” Nograles says.

She also finds a welcome break from daily stresses in exercise. “I put on my workout clothes even when I am tired or not in the mood. Every time I do, I end up working out, and then my happy endorphins get me through the day.”

A “brief pause” was all Kaayo took when the pandemic hit, she says. The indigenous tribes Kaayo works with continued to work throughout the quarantine.

A couple of months into the lockdown, Nograles’ crew put together a collection of Mindanao hand-beaded water-repellent jumpsuits, T’boli beaded masks and hand-embroidered face shield visors.

Proceeds from sales went to their efforts to help new coronavirus disease front-liners, which began with donations of face masks and personal protective equipment and feeding programs in Davao.

At Katutubo pop-up market Oct. 9, Kaayo will roll out the Kalipay (Cebuano for “joy”) collection, consisting of a mix of denim, lace, T’boli hand beading and Maranao handwoven langkit.

“It’s the first time we are doing a more affordable collection, in the hopes of sparking joy during these trying times,” she says.

Here, Nograles lists the fashion pieces that give her a feeling of regularity and, yes, kalipay.

“The Kaayo Katy T’nalak bag. My daughter Nikka helps me with my work-from-home photo shoots. Here she is modeling the bags, which now have Mommy and Me sizes.”

 

“I used to wear this traditional B’laan top to events and meetings, mixed with more contemporary brands and accessories.”

 

“My workout clothes. Here also is my favorite Kaayo accent/working/photo shoot/ happy hour/Zoomchair, made by Upcycle Manila for our showroom that will open soon. It is handwoven synthetic rattan with woven
T’nalak accents. When I sit on it, I am happy.”

 

 

 

 

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