Lost in Luzon
Lost but never truly alone, a young man finds connection in the most unexpected place: an earthbound community rich in tradition and texture.
In this hidden corner of the Philippines, the beauty of craftcore reveals itself through soulful and tactile layers
How craftcore becomes a way of life
The car stalls somewhere deep in Luzon, on a stretch of road fading into dust and heat. He steps out into the stillness, the scent of sunbaked earth hanging heavy in the air. When the engine gives out, he walks, in search of silence.
RELATED: Sentimental Craftcore Is Here, And It’s the Next Big Thing in Menswear
He reaches an off-grid community seemingly untouched by the city’s rush. People move with a patience that feels borrowed from another time. Their clothing mirrors this rhythm: loose silhouettes in sun-washed earth tones and handwoven fabrics rich with texture and care. Among them, one man draws his attention, dressed in what can only be called the essence of craftcore.
Together they walk along a dirt path, their shoes sinking into soft earth. The heat lingers but has lost its edge. Around them, color and texture begin to speak in their own way: indigo cottons swaying on lines, abaca fibers drying beneath the sun, and embroidery that feels both new and ancestral. Each detail tells the story of a fashion shaped by intimacy.
The heart of craft
Inside a bamboo hut, the scene feels dense yet calm. Woven bags hang from the ceiling, baskets gather in corners, and jars of spices line a wooden table. He sits in the half-light, his oversized glasses catching the glow against a handmade shirt that rests loosely on his shoulders, its imperfect weave more compelling than any polished garment. Here, craft is a necessity of the past, carrying memory and identity within every thread.
As the days pass, he begins to move in rhythm with the village. Time folds into repetition, a cycle of washing, stitching, wearing, and mending. Fashion here exists in continuity, sustained by care and use. The clothes speak through touch, frayed hems, faded dyes, and cotton softened by the sun.
Woven into the land
Outside, they stand beside a makeshift drying rack as fabrics sway in the wind. The young man, once defined by city walls and screens, now moves through shifting patterns of shade and light. His smile, posture, and clothes have all softened.
By sundown, the forest begins to exhale. Golden light catches on the threads of their clothing, revealing textures of living that are handmade and enduring. Here, in this hidden stretch of Luzon, the essence of craftcore is woven into every gesture and grain of light.
See the full fashion editorial in the pages of VMAN SEA 04, available in print and by e-subscription.
Photography Alexis Dave Co
Art direction Mike Miguel
Fashion Rex Atienza
Grooming Xeng Zulueta
Hair Gab Villegas
Models Max Holmström and Enzo Lancone (Monarq Agency)
Fashion associate Corven Uy
Photography assistant Omar Barroga
On location Balé Pampanga
Special thanks Atty. William Panlilio
