It is an understatement to say that virtual shopping is the future of fashion, especially in our COVID-19 climate. Even before the pandemic, Filipinos are hooked to it with its convenience, speed, and affordable prices that many go crazy with its monthly online sales, which is as crazy as Black Friday sales abroad. Among the digital retail platforms that emerged in the past years is Shein.

Last November, Filipino creatives have debuted on the platform releasing collaboration collections with the fast-fashion e-retailer. Homegrown brand Neon Island Clothing and designers Wilbur Lang and Sean Betco were chosen as guest designers of the month as they present unique designs with a Filipino touch on the e-commerce site’s style library.

“The Shein’s marketing executive from their Singapore office contacted me via Instagram and asked if I would love to collaborate with them. I said yes after I’ve read their proposal that they sent via email,” Wilbur tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.

Led by dynamic duo Aira Medina and Chi Gibbs, Neon Island’s collection is a trip to the tropics with vibrant, quirky pieces featuring their original prints. Wilbur Lang, on the other hand, took inspiration from office wear with his collection dubbed “Corporate Punk.” “Basically, anything that the HR would find inappropriate for office I put in the collection. Rebellious and sexy,” he says. While 22-year-old and recent design graduate Sean presented his knack for contemporary, skin-baring designs. True to the fast-fashion emporium’s philosophy, the pieces they have created are chic and stylish and come at very modest prices.

Shein has been at the center of many controversies in the past with many fashion insiders criticizing it about sustainability concerns and copying designs from emerging brands and designers, among others. Its direction shifted in January 2021 as it launched its Shein X program, a design incubator initiative “offering up-and-coming designers the chance to design under the Shein umbrella – essentially launching careers for emerging talent,” according to WWD.

“I am aware of the articles against Shein. It was quite a concern for me at first,” Wilbur says. “However, I feel like their Shein X program is one of the positive things the company has done. Collaborating with up-and-coming designers and giving them a platform to showcase their designs worldwide. It’s definitely such a great opportunity.”

See the works of Neon Island, Wilbur Lang, and Sean Batco on shein.com.