Building An Empire

Ben Chan, who helms the eponymous brand, Bench, continues to redefine the cultural and retail landscape

- Ryanne Stephanie Cheng Co

A proudly homegrown brand that has expanded to international locales, Bench is a well-known portmanteau of Ben Chan’s name. It has grown into a ubiquitous staple in malls and lifestyle spaces and is best known for its affordable line of clothing, swimwear, accessories and self-care products (such as soaps and perfumes). Through its established presence around the country—and in regions such as the United States, China and the Middle East—Bench has proven to be among the most enduring Filipino brands in the market.