By BAYO
Bayo, a renowned fashion brand, was recently honored with the prestigious Gawad Yamang Isip (GYI) Award by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) on April 26, 2023. This recognition holds special significance for Bayo as this year’s theme focused on “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.”
Championing female empowerment is a core value for Bayo. As an active participant-member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the company is committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), particularly emphasizing gender equality.
Anna Lagon, Bayo’s co-CEO and Chief Creative Officer, shared, “As a brand dedicated to designing pieces that pay homage to our heritage and dress the modern Filipina throughout their journey in womanhood, we place great importance on collaborating with women, listening to their stories, and finding ways to support them as they explore their craft. Women bring a unique perspective to everything from design to business.”
Bayo’s workforce predominantly comprises women, with women employed at every level, from the production line to the C-suite. Many of Bayo’s sustainability projects align with the gender equality SDG, implementing tangible, measurable, and effective policies to empower women.
Under the #JourneytoZero campaign, Bayo has undertaken numerous projects in circular fashion, with a particular focus on handweaving. Since 2018, the company has partnered with communities in Aklan, Bulacan, Cebu, and Baguio to create woven textiles for Bayo’s garments. Through these initiatives, women are provided fair wages and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
In a serendipitous alignment, this year’s GYI also shed light on Bill 1716, known as the “Safeguarding the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill,” which aims to protect the intellectual property of indigenous designs. Bayo has long been a champion of Filipino crafts, incorporating traditional art forms into their designs. Lagon passionately expressed, “We tell the weavers that they are not ordinary makers. What they do preserves our culture, and they should take immense pride in that.”
To learn more about Bayo’s projects and initiatives, visit their website at http://www.bayo.com.ph and explore their newly-opened concept store, the Bayo Atelier, located at L2 Greenbelt 5 in Makati.
