The Pursuit of Happiness

What sparks joy? For designer Happy Andrada-Gras, it's: wielding art that comes from a play of purpose, consciousness, and elation

- MARIAN SAN PEDRO

Designer Marian Joy Andrada-Gras brought such gaiety the moment she was born that her parents decided to give her the nickname Happy. At 15 years old, she filled up a whole sketchbook with her own designs. And instead of the usual cotillion for her 18th birthday, she had her very first fashion and arts show.

With her love for dressing up and self-styling, she went on to study fashion design at La Salle College nternational and at Central Saint Martins. She actually wanted to use the name Marian. But then, a member of he press, who was also a family friend, interviewed her and wrote Happy instead—and that’s what stuck with her.

"I want fashion to be accessible to everyone,” Andrada-Gras says. You don’t have to be a certain body ype to enjoy fashion. Whenever do my own creations, make sure that use Philippine-made materials as well as icons inspired by the country. It has to be local.”

Starting with her inspiration—whether a silhouette, eeling, color, mood, or texture—Andrada-Gras shares hat her design process is always evolving, a continuous practice that goes through many routes until she finds happiness in her work. As the designer sees it, fashion is an avenue to learn and grow, and people always have 0 give themselves the chance to find new discoveries.