second SKIN
Vogue Philippines|February 2024
In Belgium, alternative leather brand LUBAY fashions bags from leftover grape skins, stalks, and seeds.
TICIA ALMAZAN
second SKIN

BEFORE SOHO FR ANCOTTE’S HANDS LEARNED HOW TO CUT AND SEW, THEY WERE ADJUSTING MICROPHONES, playing keyboards, and hitting the drums. “My [partner] sings and plays guitar [for our band Coffee Or Not],” the musician tells Vogue Philippines, “we work with loop stations. [We’re just] two people but we can sound like a full band.”

By 2020, the duo had been holding concerts and tours around Europe full-time for over a decade, while on the side, Soho was a press officer and tour organizer who promoted other musical projects. When the pandemic hit, however, she was forced to reevaluate her career. Wishing to remain creative, she began designing initial bag prototypes before launching a crowdfunding campaign. From there, she created Lubay, her alternative leather goods brand based on veganism, ethics, and eco-responsibility.

As a vegan of 10 years, Soho has long been committed to the environment. It’s why, for Lubay, she turned to materials derived from nature. The designer started with Piñatex pineapple leather, made from fibers extracted from pineapple leaves. “But the main problem was that people were questioning the idea that the pineapple leaves came from the Philippines,” she shares. “Well, I come from the Philippines. But somehow it kind of was difficult with the idea of being a sustainable brand and using materials that come from so far away.”

This story is from the February 2024 edition of Vogue Philippines.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2024 edition of Vogue Philippines.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM VOGUE PHILIPPINESView All
eternal poetry
Vogue Philippines

eternal poetry

In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines, BULGARI's FABRIZIO BUONAMASSA STIGLIANI and MAURO DI ROBERTO talk about how an appreciation for craftsmanship and technique makes it possible to realize poetry in precious stones.

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2024
evan ever evolving
Vogue Philippines

evan ever evolving

Unpindownable and unputdownable, model, actor, and all-in-one wunderkind Evan Mock makes magic in perpetual motion.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024
SCENE STEALERS
Vogue Philippines

SCENE STEALERS

In recent years, the landscape of local cinema has changed dramatically with an influx of new and talented actors. Meet three Filipino leads rewriting the script, ushering in a new era across all facets of filmmaking.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024
FORCE sensitive
Vogue Philippines

FORCE sensitive

Designer Kelvin Morales premieres his latest collection, translating resonance in barongs, structured pieces, and a neutral palette spliced with ultramarine.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
twm FLAMES
Vogue Philippines

twm FLAMES

SASSA JIMENEZ and VESTIDO are a match made in circular fashion heaven. By MARBBIE TAGABUCBA.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
INSIDE OUT
Vogue Philippines

INSIDE OUT

It’s all overcast skies and solitary roads. Something in the air shifts when ANNE CURTIS explores Tokyo.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
reel.and REAL
Vogue Philippines

reel.and REAL

NICO SANTOS is intent on breaking boundaries and becoming a beacon of pride. By VICTORIA GOLDIEE

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
tracing LIGHT
Vogue Philippines

tracing LIGHT

Behind the firsts in the history of Philippine cinema is a family who draws with light.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
shadow PLAY
Vogue Philippines

shadow PLAY

ZELDA WILLIAMS wants to make friends with her monsters

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
CHANCE ENCOUNTERS
Vogue Philippines

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

How a series of serendipities helped a women-led artistic team bring Gabriela Serrano’s sophomore short dream-time

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024