Cheyenne Suarez

In the bag: New Gouache and Anthill collab is giving vintage-tribal vibes

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ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754553874251Gouache Photo 1.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Gouache founders Louie and Anne Poco. Photo courtesy of Gouache"/>Gouache founders Louie and Anne Poco. Photo courtesy of Gouache</div>MARIKINA -- The patina of time evoked by waxed canvas and native weaves crafted from centuries-old tradition merge together in Gouache&#x27;s latest collaboration with Anthill Fabrics.In their showroom and workshop in Marikina, owners Louie Poco and Ann Enriquez-Poco opened their doors recently, for a tour of their place and announce their first collaboration with the Cebu-based manufacturer and supplier of indigenous weave.With ambient vinyl music, and over fresh brews and pastries by Resonate Coffee, the creative couple shared their story and how they got into their &quot;accidental business.&quot;According to Anne, Gouache traces its beginnings in 2013 when Louie broke his camera bag and began his search for a replacement carrier. At the time, the camera bags in the market were mostly imported, made from synthetic materials, and lacked the vintage aesthetics that Louie had always loved.  Incidentally, the husband-and-wife team lived in Marikina, the country&#x27;s shoe capital and home to artisans whose handmade shoe- and bag-making knowledge have been passed from one generation to the next. Naturally, Louie worked with Marikina&#x27;s local bag makers and was able to create a prototype that moved him and Anne to consider having their own enterprise.  <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754554433388Gouache Photo 5.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Bag makers and artisans work at the Gouache workshop in Marikina. Photo by Francine Medina"/>Bag makers and artisans work at the Gouache workshop in Marikina. Photo by Francine Medina</div>In 2017, they received a grant of P200,000 from The Spark Project and soon after, they created their first bags handmade by Marikina bag makers and artisans. Louie and Ann, who are creatives to the core — he still performs vocals and plays the bass for the Bloomfields band and is an industrial designer by training; she used to be the band&#x27;s agent and had a corporate job — turned their passion project into a full-time social enterprise.Thus was born Gouache, which was inspired from the painting method of mixing pigment, water, and a gooey binding agent like gum Arabic and applying them on the canvas for an opaque texture. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754554094628Gouache Photo 4.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Big and small bags, and beanies from the Gouache x Anthill capsule collection. Francine Medina"/>Big and small bags, and beanies from the Gouache x Anthill capsule collection. Francine Medina</div>Gouache, on the other hand, brushes beeswax blend on canvas to make it weather-resistant and achieve a certain aged texture on the surface. Gouache&#x27;s rugged finish and handmade durability make it the perfect bag for people on the go — the adventurers and digital nomads who work anywhere.With the Anthill Fabrics collaboration, lovers of local crafts will appreciate the patches of handloom-woven Binakol and Kantarines from Abra, and Hablon from Iloilo that serve as thoughtful accents on various Gouache merchandise.The geometric patterns in these weaves not only serve as decoration but are also heavy with spiritual meaning. The Binakol, for instance, with its optical illusion pattern was traditionally used as a ceremonial cloth for warding off evil spirits.  &quot;We wanted to present the contrast between the elegance of vintage and the old-world charm of our indigenous fabrics. It took quite a while for the project to push through because we were going over the monochromatic fabrics that we can pair with the vintage look of our waxed canvas,&quot; Anne continued.&quot;We consulted Anthill about the designs we created and where we would incorporate the textiles. The current weaves are from their existing collection. But to take our collab further, we&#x27;ll be coming out soon with our own selection of colors that will be used in the weaves,&quot; she added.&quot;Gouache and Anthill share the same vision of preserving local culture by keeping it relevant as well in today&#x27;s everyday living. We also both believe in supporting the artisans who create the materials that we use and in contributing to the creative community,&quot; explained Louie. &quot;Besides the designs we&#x27;ve put together, the narrative in each piece makes this capsule collection even more meaningful and worthy of conversation.&quot;<div> <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754554328528Gouache Photo 3.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Roomy tote bag from the Gouache x Anthill collection. Photo courtesy of Gouache"/>Roomy tote bag from the Gouache x Anthill collection. Photo courtesy of Gouache</div>If you move around the city a lot, travel a lot, love well-designed utilitarian objects, want durability in your bags, and are always proud to wear Filipino artisanal stuff, then this capsule collection is your match.The Gouache x Anthill collection includes everyday big messenger and sling bags, small errand bags, work aprons with leather straps, organizers, and must-have brimless caps or beanies to jazz up any look.Admittedly, doing Gouache x Anthill has been an eye -opener for the couple. For sure, said Anne, there will be more engaging partnerships with other creative makers up ahead. &quot;We&#x27;ve learned that being in the creative industry also needs collaboration, though we learned that a bit late. In the past we just did it ourselves in terms of sourcing and designing our materials.&quot;&quot;But we also realized that we also need company, to be in that space and energy where we are motivated to explore other materials and gather new ideas. If we just kept to ourselves, then we would&#x27;ve probably gotten tired of doing the same lines all over again. Collaborations inspire us to keep going and creating fresh designs,&quot; she added.    <div> <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754554519406Gouache Photo 2.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Organizer bags from the Gouache x Anthill capsule collection. Photo courtesy of Gouache"/>Organizer bags from the Gouache x Anthill capsule collection. Photo courtesy of Gouache</div>Gouache x Anthill is available at major online shopping platforms and at Common Room in Alabang Town Center and Power Plant Mall II.  You can also hop over to their main store at 8 Kennedy Street, Mountain View Subdivision, San Roque in Marikina City. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Sundays and holidays. And who knows, you might just meet Louis and Anne, linger a little more, and be inspired by their stories behind each Gouache creation

From waxed canvas to woven soul. ✨👜 Step inside the Marikina workshop where craft, culture, and community collide. Gouache teams up with Anthill Fabrics to create a capsule collection that celebrates vintage grit and Filipino tradition.

From waxed canvas to woven soul. ✨👜 Step inside the Marikina workshop where craft, culture, and community collide. Gouache teams up with Anthill Fabrics to create a capsule collection that celebrates vintage grit and Filipino tradition.

In the bag: New Gouache and Anthill collab is giving vintage-tribal vibes

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In the bag: New Gouache and Anthill collab is giving vintage-tribal vibes

ABS-CBN Lifestyle,

Francine Medina

Published August 07, 2025 04:25 PM PHT

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