Finfo Footwear

Inspired by research on how fashion can challenge internalized oppression among Filipinos, I created Finfo for my senior capstone project to celebrate the Filipino identity through the fusion of traditional and contemporary fashion.

The brand shares the history and culture of the Philippines through the revival of traditional wooden clogs called the bakya. Finfo consists of a brand identity and a shoe collection called Vanda displayed through a look book.

2020

The brand’s logo system incorporates the sun symbol from the Philippine flag to create an identity that is overtly Filipino. The sun represents liberty, which encapsulates the values of the brand. The system contains logos for different uses.

Rien chose to use the 3 stars and a sun symbol seen on the Philippine flag. She was especially interested in incorporating the sun from the flag because it represents liberty, which encapsulates the values of Finfo. The 8 rays symbolize the towns that first revolted against the Spanish colonizers.

For a more in-depth explanation of the logo, read this blog post.

Finfo logo progression

The shoe collection was designed in alignment with Rien’s research. The main intention for the shoes is to create fashion items that represented Filipino culture and history in a way that Filipinos, either living in the Philippines or the diaspora community, could easily resonate with.

Based on her research, Rien found that it is common for Filipinos to feel that anything traditionally Filipino is not fashionable or is strictly reserved for ceremonial use. Keeping that in mind, she created a project that fused traditional and contemporary fashion. Rien decided to revive traditional wooden clogs called bakya, designing them in a way that fit current styles and fashion trends.

The Vanda collection is inspired by the native Filipino orchid called Waling-waling, also known as Vanda Sanderiana. The flower is endemic to the provinces of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga. It is considered the Queen of Philippine flowers.

Rien chose the Waling-waling as the inspiration for the collection because it symbolizes Filipinos’ ability to thrive in any location and situation since the flower can grow in a variety of environments. 

For a more in-depth explanation of the shoe collection, read this blog post.

One of the reasons why Rien chose to use the Waling-waling as the theme of the Vanda collection is to pay homage to her grandparents. The art direction behind the look book photos is inspired by Sundays at her grandparents’ house. Sundays felt airy, light, and bright. She wanted the set to be simple with props that seem like decor you find around a house: rugs, chairs, plants, and vases.

For a more in-depth explanation of the photo shoot, read this blog post.

View the full look book below: