Urban Label by Maria & Co has joined forces with Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) to unveil a textile collection that honors Filipino cultural heritage while embracing modern design tools and mindful production practices. The collaboration highlights how technology and tradition can work together to elevate Filipino fashion while supporting responsible production methods.
This partnership was made possible with the support of ES Print Media, Inc., which played a key role in connecting Epson with designer Beatriz Nicole Benadera. Through this collaboration, a culturally rooted textile collection was brought to life, combining heritage inspiration with advanced digital textile printing solutions.
Celebrating Filipino Heritage Through the Waling-Waling
The collaboration centers on the Waling-Waling, celebrated as the Queen of Philippine Flowers and a symbol of resilience and beauty in Filipino culture. Known for its vibrant petals and intricate form, the Waling-Waling has long been admired in art and design. In this textile collection, the flower becomes the focal point of garments that merge tradition with contemporary aesthetics.
Designer Beatriz Nicole Benadera drew inspiration from Filipino identity across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The collection uses textiles as the primary canvas for storytelling, allowing culture and heritage to take center stage. Instead of relying on embellishments, the designs emphasize fabric as the heart of each piece. Prints, color, and strategic placement define the silhouette, ensuring that the textile itself carries the narrative.
By placing the Waling-Waling at the forefront of the design, the collection reinforces its significance in Filipino culture while presenting it in a modern fashion context. The garments demonstrate how cultural symbols can be reinterpreted using contemporary techniques without losing their authenticity.
Epson SureColor SC-F9430H and Digital Textile Innovation
To bring these ideas to life, Epson’s SureColor SC-F9430H digital textile printer played a pivotal role. The technology enabled original photographic references of the Waling-Waling to be translated into vivid, precise prints that align seamlessly with garment structures. This precision allowed the intricate details of the flower to remain intact while adapting to various fabric forms and silhouettes.
Large-scale panels were produced in single outputs, preserving intricate details and ensuring visual continuity across flowing silhouettes. The ability to maintain consistency in print quality and detail demonstrates how digital textile printing technology can enhance creative execution.
Epson’s decades-long legacy in precision printing underscores its reputation for reliability and innovation. The collaboration reflects how established expertise in printing technology can be applied to fashion and textile design. By integrating digital textile printing into the creative process, designers gain greater flexibility and control over their work.
Beyond technical excellence, digital textile printing offers designers flexibility and control, supporting a more thoughtful approach to production. By enabling on-demand printing, the process helps reduce excess materials and encourages responsible design practices, an important consideration in today’s fashion landscape. This approach aligns with mindful production values, where efficiency and sustainability are carefully considered.
“Working with Epson completely changed my creative process,” said Benadera. “It allowed textile design to become part of each garment and shifted my approach from designing around limitations to designing with confidence.”
For Epson, the partnership highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering designers through technology. “Epson has decades of experience in precision printing,” said Masako Kusama, Director and President of EPC. “Our solutions help designers execute ideas with clarity while supporting mindful production.”
A New Chapter for Filipino Fashion
The collection signals a new chapter for Filipino fashion where cultural storytelling meets contemporary tools. By combining heritage inspiration with advanced digital textile printing, the collaboration demonstrates how innovation can support cultural preservation.
Urban Label by Maria & Co and Epson Philippines Corporation show that fashion can be both rooted in tradition and forward-looking. Through the Waling-Waling inspired designs and the use of the Epson SureColor SC-F9430H, the collection illustrates how technology enhances creativity while promoting responsible production.
More information on Epson’s professional textile printing solutions is available at www.epson.com.ph.
