Roko Arceo’s Maligaya Clothing Co. champions Filipino heritage into everyday fashion

Roko Arceo’s Maligaya Clothing Co. at the exhibition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest | Photo courtesy of Fashion Asia Hong Kong

An eye for fashion can develop at a young age through different influences. Some may discover it through being dressed up by their parents, while others find it through a particular fashion icon they look up to.

For fashion stylist and designer Roko Arceo, his introduction to fashion came through trips to Glorietta or Rustan’s with his grandmother. After school, they would visit places near his school in Makati, with shopping as their usual bonding activity.

These childhood experiences gave him an early introduction to fashion, leading to a passion and career centered on design, styling, and creative expression.

In 2011, Arceo formally pursued fashion while still in college. He built his career brick by brick through internships and work in fashion styling.

Through the opportunities that came his way, he gradually established himself in the industry, building a long-standing career as a stylist for publications, television productions, and well-known personalities in the media and fashion industries.

Arceo has 10 years of experience in TV styling, having started in 2014. Among his prominent projects was the historical drama series Maria Clara at Ibarra. He took on the role of costume designer in 2021, crafting wardrobe pieces inspired by colonial-era fashion for the celebrities and the characters they portrayed.

Despite his notable contribution to the series’ creative direction, the demands of production during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with his many years in the field, took a toll on Arceo.

“I just got tired of it, I got burned out, because it was a very tough thing and a time-consuming project,” he shared.

Little did he know that this period of his life would lead him to pursue a long-held aspiration: launching his very own fashion brand.

A simple discussion with a friend about an opportunity to address the lack of menswear designers in the scene led to the creation of Maligaya Clothing Co. in 2023.

“At that time, there were only a couple of menswear designers. It’s a change of environment and I think I had that skill to do it,” Arceo said.

The Filipino designer established an independent fashion brand dedicated to highlighting Filipino heritage through contemporary pieces that reflect a mindful approach to fashion design.

The term maligaya is a colloquial word that is easy to pronounce and understand. It also reminds him of another childhood memory: visiting Binondo and Divisoria in Manila.

“Everyone knows it, and I thought that it would be easy for everyone to recall the name Maligaya,” Arceo added.

Maligaya Clothing Co. reflects Arceo’s interpretation of cultural designs and Filipino nostalgia. Deeply rooted in his core childhood memories, the brand aims to evoke a sense of familiarity and an appreciation for heritage and sustainable values through clothing that can be worn every day.

Beyond the aesthetics of his work as a stylist and designer, Arceo is committed to maintaining his brand’s focus on sustainability. As a fashion stylist, he wants the clothes he makes to be valued for their longevity as well as their appearance.

“I have to be mindful na yung mga binibigay kong damit is magagamit pa ng client ko and hindi lang siya pang-isahang suotan lang,” he said. (“I have to be mindful of offering clothes that clients can use for the long term rather than just once.”)

He also sees this as a way for consumers to spend less while avoiding the accumulation of more waste from fast fashion. Arceo applies the same principle as a designer by giving new life to old materials, such as stock linens and heirloom textiles that can be found in household cabinets.

“You’re giving new life doon sa mga things na nakatago. I think mas special din yung mga nandon kasi you won’t be able to find that anymore,” he added. (“You’re giving new life to things that have been stashed away. I think those are even more special because you won’t be able to find that anymore.”)

Making each piece differently also lends itself to producing clothing in smaller quantities. Arceo works closely with doilies, tablecloths, and curtains, transforming them into dresses and polos through his creative process.

The 35-year-old is not just repurposing materials; he also aims to encourage people to develop a more conscious connection with the clothes they purchase and think more deeply about how often they can wear them again.

Alongside its sustainability aims, Maligaya Clothing Co. centers on incorporating Filipino culture and heritage into each piece Arceo makes. He recognizes the different layers of the country’s history and how other cultures have helped shape the Philippines’ fashion identity. This understanding allows him to incorporate those influences into his own unique designs.

“I think those cultures also got mixed with us. So, that also brings in sort of a global cultural phenomenon,” he said. Instead of steering away from traditional textiles and fabrics like those used in the Barong Tagalog, Arceo finds ways to incorporate these elements into contemporary Filipino fashion.

Arceo’s journey has undoubtedly been shaped by his work as a stylist for clients in media and entertainment. In working with figures such as Small Laude, Rajo Laurel, and pop band Ben&Ben, he values personal preference and considers what will appeal to each client throughout his creative process.

Roko Arceo behind the scenes with Small Laude | Photo courtesy of Roko Arceo“Ang pinag-iisipan talaga ng pinakasobra don is if they would like the pieces that I am going to provide for them, because of course, one of the things as a stylist na kailangan talagang inaaral is the client,” he explained. (“What requires the most thought is whether they would like the pieces I am going to provide for them, because, of course, one of the things a stylist needs to do is study the client.”)

For Arceo, styling means prioritizing the client’s personal style and preferences. He takes their likes, mood, and color preferences into account.

His work connects deeply with the person, allowing him to bring out the uniqueness of the figures he styles. Through this practice, Arceo’s craft becomes part of his clients’ self-expression.

Through his contributions to fashion, Arceo has earned recognition and influence. In 2025, he was named one of Preview’s Creative 25 and closed the opening day of Bench Fashion Week.

Early this year, Arceo was named by Fashion Asia Hong Kong among its 10 Asian Designers to Watch in 2026. He presented Maligaya Clothing Co., bringing Filipino design and craftsmanship to the international fashion stage.

Roko Arceo’s Maligaya Clothing Co. in the runway of Hong Kong Fashion Fest|Photos courtesy of Fashion Asia Hong KongRecently, Arceo, through Maligaya Clothing Co., capped off the second day of Fashion Week Asia 2026 in Manila with the brand’s newest collection, titled “Found Treasures,” inspired by underwater elements.

The designs draw inspiration from coral reefs, marine life, and netted features. The collection conveys a broader message about the fragility of these elements of Philippine seas while utilizing reclaimed textiles, vintage fabrics, and antique crochet doilies.

Behind the scenes with Maligaya Clothing Co. at Fashion Week Asia 2026 | Photos courtesy of TJ ParkAs these achievements reward Arceo for his years of commitment to fashion, they also challenge him to improve each day. He shares the credit with the team and community who have stood by him and helped him throughout his journey.

Roko Arceo and team at Fashion Week Asia 2026 | Photo courtesy of Kurt Villagracia“Masarap sa pakiramdam, pero it also gives a lot of pressure for me to continuously do well. (It feels good, but it also gives a lot of pressure for me to continuously do well.)  Which is also good, because I think as humans, to be successful, you can never be comfortable,” he said.

Despite questions about whether Philippine fashion has a bright future, there is hope in the young creatives and aspiring designers entering the scene.

Arceo has a simple piece of advice for young people and fashion aspirants: start as soon as an idea comes to mind.

“Huwag matakot na magsimula at magkamali, because I think yung pagkakamali would always be a learning curve,” he added. (“Don’t be afraid to start and make mistakes, because I think mistakes will always be a learning curve.”)

Looking to the future of Maligaya Clothing Co., Arceo wants to uphold the brand’s sustainability principles. At the same time, he hopes to inspire more people through the label by showing how contemporary Philippine fashion can be crafted with deep intention.