If you're a fan of purposeful local brands, you might already know and are mourning the sudden closure of the cult fave lifestyle and fashion brand halohalo. On Instagram, one of halohalo's owners, Cara Mia Limjap, wrote in a joint statement, "It's time to start a new chapter. Time to bid farewell to places and things that no longer serve us. Time to honor what lives within the heart."
Local Brand halohalo Is Saying Goodbye This Month
The announcement came as a shock, especially to the brand's dedicated supporters, because the brand opened its first physical store in Power Plant Mall merely a year ago. Not only that, but their items would immediately sell out even before their physical store's opening. It's a testament to their designs being such a fan favorite. Support immediately poured on the announcement post's comments section, garnering comments from fellow brand owners Georgina and Jess Wilson, Isabelle Daza, and Martine Ho.
Cara didn't forget to thank everyone who has joined them since the brand's founding in 2013. "The journey of halohalo has been a great one. To all the people who have been a part of it—from its infant stage and to its graduation into the real world—thank you." Their Rockwell store will officially close its doors on January 15. Meanwhile, their website will still be available until January 29.
However unforeseen, Cara ended her statement in a hopeful tone, writing, "But it's time for me. Time to pause, see where the road ahead may lead. This book is closing. And a new one is ready to be written."
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Why We Love The Local Lifestyle Brand halohalo
It is not uncommon for Filipino-made brands to embrace and incorporate the country's heritage in a product lineup. However, halohalo is a brand that takes it a step further and is proudly Filipino-forward through and through by staying dedicated to Filipino craftsmanship and culture in all aspects. You can see it prominently through their product lineup which consists of apparel, bags, and homeware. A big chunk of their products and collections are named after meaningful Filipino words that encapsulate the essence of their release perfectly.
Anyone who has also dropped or simply even passed by their first brick-and-mortar store knows how much the branch is an ode to Filipino architecture. It feels as if you were stepping into traditional Filipino family houses with capiz windows or even historical old churches your family visits during the Holy Week. Their Power Plant physical store also offers exclusive Filipino-core drinks by Pick Up Coffee at the halohalo bar. Their menu consists of pampainit and pampalamig drinks that are cheekily sized in uhaw or uhaw na uhaw.
Among the products that helped make halohalo such a household name are their locally woven and Internet-trending modern banig bags. Celebrities and content creators alike cannot stop raving about them, leading to the bags always being sold out and a challenge to get your hands on. In the process of creating their brands, the brand has also consistently supported Filipino artisans and sustainability for almost a decade.
Popular halohalo Designs And Bestsellers We Will Miss
The brand's loyal patrons and those interested in copping some of the halohalo pieces have until January 15 to visit their Power Plant store and January 29 to check out from their website. In case you need suggestions for what you should add to your cart, here are some of halohalo's popular designs and bestsellers.
Gumamela Bag
Even those who do not know of halohalo have seen this bag before. It's just that trending! And if there was a piece that perfectly hugged that description, it's the Gumamela Bag. The widely beloved purse has a very intricate design which resembles a gumamela (hibiscus) flower and comes with a short beaded strap. It is perfect for days when you only need essentials (a.k.a. your phone and cardholder) or special occasions like weddings as a statement piece.
instagram/halohalohalohalo Gumamela Bag, P6,400, halohalostore.ph
Lotus Basket
The halohalo Lotus Basket is another flower-inspired piece. On their website, halohalo wrote that the product is "an accessory that's quite literally in full bloom, its sweet petal shapes unfold like a blooming flower." It comes with a magnetic enclosure and has a velvet lining which adds to the premium feel.
halohalo Lotus Basket, P7,200, halohalostore.ph
Arawaraw Tote
The Arawaraw Tote is for those who need bigger bags with more space (like working girls or mothers) and can be worn "pang araw-araw kahit saan." It comes with a detachable suede pouch and a magnetic snap, just in case you want to remove the pouch. According to the website, the tote is spacious enough to fit gadgets like an iPad or a Kindle. The double strap it comes with is perfect for a transformable day-to-night look—wear it with the leather shoulder strap or use the beaded handle to unleash a more fashionable version.
halohalo Arawaraw Tote, P5,500, halohalostore.ph
Tiny Dulce Bag
For micro handbag lovers, the limited-edition Tiny Dulce Bag is something that's calling your name. Like the other halohalo bags, it comes with a magnetic closure and a leather strap. You could wear it either as a petite shoulder bag or fold the straps inside and carry it as a pouch. V cute!
halohalo Tiny Dulce Bag, P6200, halohalostore.ph
halohalo's 10-year journey was a long and good one! It might be bittersweet to say goodbye to a beloved local brand, but we will always have the good memories to remember. Paalam at salamat, halohalo!
