2021 Holiday Gift Guide | 8 Brands We Love
Looking for some last minute holiday gifts but want to support some amazing brands by Filipino founders while you’re at it? Say no more, fam! This year, it feels especially important to spread Christmas cheer with a thoughtful gift, while keeping it easy on our stress levels.
Since Kollective Hustle’s inception, we’ve had the privilege of interviewing and connecting with so many of our community’s most talented entrepreneurs and founders. From those who are challenging corporate status quo practices, to those who are revolutionizing and disrupting traditional delivery models, and to those who unapologetically pursue their passions and talents to carve new niches- the Filipino-American and Filipino-Canadian diaspora are founders of some of today’s most creative, innovative and beautiful brands food and beverage, fashion, consumer good and art. If you’re looking for some great brand gift for the holidays and beyond (for every budget), here are some that we love.
Passion Planner by Angelia “Angel” Trinidad
Photo Caption: Courtesy of Passion Planner Instagram
Angelia Trinidad, a long time part of the Kollective Hustle family, is CEO and Founder of Passion Planner, a company that makes both digital and paper planners (and accessories) that are known for its structures, blank pages for creativity, and room for reflection. Passion Planner, the product and the company, prides themselves in helping you identify your dreams and build toward them every day.
Angelia is a San Diego native who grew up in Paradise Hills and Otay Ranch. In 2008, she graduated from Otay Ranch High School and moved to Los Angeles, where she studied art and education at the University of California, Los Angeles. Like many young adults, Angelia experienced the age-old bout of anxiety after college graduation. Rather than let the fear hold her back from finding success, Trinidad became determined to create a tool to navigate the uncertainty, discover her passions and take control of what her future looked like, even if it meant veering away from the path her parents had wanted for her (sound familiar?). And behold, Passion Planner was born. It’s quite simply the perfect gift for the planner, dreamer and goal-getter in your life (and maybe one for yourself!).
One/Size Beauty by Patrick Starr
Photo Caption: Courtesy of One/Size Beauty by Patrick Starr Instagram
Got a makeup lover in your life that can never get enough? Patrick Starr’s One/Size Beauty brand is made for all shades and they even have a team dedicated to helping anyone find the perfect shade in foundation or concealer (or any product for that matter) before you buy. For the holidays they’re featuring two limited edition gifts sets that will look perfect for anyone whether their style is glam or natural.
Born in New York, Patrick was raised in Orlando, Fla. Patrick Starr’s bio unapologetically reads: “Makeup Artist. Youtuber. Floridian. Fierce Filipino.” He kicked off his beauty career as a photographer in Orlando, which sparked his interest in learning how to apply makeup. Following his decision to turn his passion for makeup into a career, he was employed at MAC Cosmetics before launching on YouTube as Patrick Starrr.
Prim Botanicals by Stefanie Walmsley
Photo Caption: Courtesy of Prim Botanicals Instagram
Have a friend, sister, gf or wife that loves their plant-based skincare? Prim Botanicals is an all-natural beauty and lifestyle brand that prides itself on being paraben-, gluten-, dye-, synthetic- and cruelty-free. Prim Botanicals’ range of products including perfumes, hair oils, deodorants and scrubs were designed for the most sensitive skin. With plush tropical ingredients, Prim Botanicals crafts everything in small batches and is the perfect stocking stuffer for the eco-conscious beauty guru in your life.
According to their site, Prim Botanicals founder, Stefanie Walmsley, was born and raised in the Philippines (Cebu), but relocated to New York to study film, launching her career as a producer, and starting a whole new chapter. Before she started Prim, she won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. when she produced a film called, “God of Love”. In 2013, she returned home to Cebu, the tropical playground in the Philippines where she spent most of her childhood to unplug and recharge. She was reminded of all the natural beauty remedies she had grown up with, but had completely taken for granted. Native natural ingredients like moringa (or malunggay), virgin coconut oil, and tamanu were everywhere she looked- organic, fresh and abundant. From there, Prim Botanicals was born.
Vinta Gallery by Caroline Mangosing
Photo Caption: Courtesy of vintagallery.com
Looking for a one of a kind gift for the modern filipina in your life? Why not a modern Filipiniana? Vinta Gallery designs and customs creates ternos, barongs and camisas for weddings, cultural celebrations and just about any special occasion with their inspired and updated versions of our traditional garb. From one shoulder and harness-type ternos, ifugao-inspired printed anoraks, and unisex tunic type barongs, Vinta Gallery offers the Philippines’ most beautiful heritage clothing with a twist- a far cry from your Mom’s beaded Maria Clara or your Dad’s ill-fitting barong.
According to their website, the idea for VINTA Gallery was conceptualized by Filipino-Canadian Caroline Mangosing , who at the time was the executive director (and founder) of Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture in Toronto. As the only active and accessible Filipino cultural center in the city, she was often fielding a lot of phone calls from Filipino-Canadian mothers looking for traditional Filipino "costumes" for their kids to wear during multi-cultural events at school. Because of Caroline's close ties back in the Philippines and to now partner Estelita Lagman, she embarked on a journey to create a social enterprise within Kapisanan that would provide the cultural product to the market in Toronto and Canada. After much research, she realized that the demand wasn't just for children's Filipino "costumes", but rather, formal Filipiniana. A wave of second generation Filipinos are turning to their culture for wedding inspiration, especially Filipino-Canadians who are marrying into a different culture.
Cambio and Co by Gelaine Santiago and Jérôme Gagnon-Voyer
Photo Courtesy of Cambio and Co. Website
For your mom, bff or significant other, jewelry is always a good idea. Cambio and Co. offer beautiful earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets in gold, silver, wood and even capiz and other shells.Their gold items are in gold filigree, a meticulous and rare technique perfected by the plateros of Ilocos Sur, and each item is heirloom quality and carries the proud story of our pre-colonial heritage and of fine Filipino craftsmanship. Cambio and Co. also prides themselves in working with partners that have been carefully vetted and selected for their commitment to quality, ethics, transparency, and beautiful Filipino craftsmanship.
How they started according to their website: After a fateful volunteer experience, co-founders Gelaine Santiago and Jérôme Gagnon-Voyer fell in love with the idea of business for social good (and fell for each other, too). After university, the two landed corporate jobs and slowly began to watch their happiness fade. Lacking purpose and drive from their day jobs, where people and the planet never seemed to be the priority, the two decided something needed to change.
As a Filipina from Bulacan, Gelaine had grown up in Toronto missing a vital piece of her identity and felt a need to explore her culture. As her soul search began, so did their travels to the Philippines. From this trip, they were inspired to do more. The two first created an online directory, ChooseSocial.PH, to help people discover socially conscious businesses in the Philippines. Although it was just a hobby at the time, people from all over the world began to take notice. As the inquiries came in, their vision to support Filipino businesses became more clear. In 2015, they quit their jobs, took a leap, and Cambio & Co. became a reality.
Who Cares Supply Co. and Collect & Select
Photo Caption: Courtesy of Who Cares Supply Co. Instagram
If you know streetwear, you’re no stranger to Kollective Hustle fam, Christian and Alex Martin of Who Cares Supply Co. and Collect & Select. Earlier this year, they made waves when they released their “WHAT THE PT II ‘’ swingman shorts. The sold-out-in-seconds design was a mashup of 12 retro NBA team shorts including the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, and more. The first version of the shorts was worn by Ben Baller at ComplexCon in 2019 (they’ve been a ComplexCon fan favorite ever since) and the brand has seen the likes of Stephen Curry, DJ Carnage, Draymond Green, D’angelo Russel, B-Dot, DJ Esco, Druski, and Buddy Heild sport their apparel. Picking up some hoodies or joggers from their line will surely put you in good graces with anyone on your shopping list.
Malaya Botanicals by Pia Barton
Photo Caption: Courtesy of Malaya Botanicals Instagram
Have a loved one who could use some pampering and self-care this holiday? (And let’s be real, who doesn’t after these last two years?) Malaya Botanicals has just the thing, or a couple, for them. Malaya Botanicals, founded by Pia Barton is a family operated CBD Wellness and Beauty Company on a mission to de-stigmatize cannabis and empower women of color to take charge of their health and healing. Through a variety of products including CBD Muscle Relief Cream, Full Spectrum Massage Oils and CBD Bath Bombs, Pia hopes to aspire women to practice self-care on a regular basis with the most simple and easy daily solutions. With the help of Malaya’s CBD products, anyone will have the ability to take care of themselves in the most convenient way possible, while still staying true to their daily lifestyle. If you’re in the Bay Area you can visit their storefront in Alameda or order online.
Iba Accessories by Moselle, Danelle, and Celina Lazatin
Courtesy of Iba Accessories Instagram and Founders
Looking for gifts that are sustainable sourced that supports Filipino craftsmanship and various artisan communities across the Philippines? Add Iba Accessories to your go-to list. From kitschy earrings aptly named “Takes Two to Mango” to their “Bucket Ba?” Pandan Bag, you’ll find ethically sourced (and pun-ny!) accessories and home goods for the fashionable yet tree-hugging domestic goddess in your life.
Iba Accessories started as a project of three Lazatin sisters: a marketer, a doctor, and a writer. Moselle, Danelle and Celina (respectively) started Iba Accessories because giving the perfect gift shouldn’t have be so time-consuming and they wanted to bring one-of-a-kind items sourced from the Philippine islands mainlanders could “vibe to the tropics all year long, sans the long plane ride.”
