“I just love clothes. I love old things, including abubots (knickknacks), furniture, and textiles,” Jodinand Aguillon confessed when asked about the beginning of the vintage outlet Glorious Dias. For years, his humble shop has been one of the go-to stores for anyone looking for pieces that are imbued with stories of the past. In a greater sense, Glorious Dias has contributed to the diverse fashion language of Manila City with its unique vintage finds, reworked items, and secondhand garments.
Unlike many fashion entrepreneurs, Jodinand didn’t have an official training in fashion design. His experience in the industry is mostly built by previous styling and theater gigs, but he clarified that his works then were far from what stylists do today. It was his passion for vintage style and love for Filipino culture and heritage that led to the birth of Glorious Dias.
Rise from the pandemic
The story of Glorious Dias started as a pop-up in Poblacion, Makati City. It marked its first chapter with a line of skirts and kamisas made of old tablecloths. While Jodinand did it just for fun, the collection did well for the shop not until the pandemic happened. Like what other businesses did during that time, the vintage shop pivoted online. Although the brand had to let go of its Poblacion store, it was in the digital space where Glorious Dias found its community.
“That’s where we started meeting our community, people who appreciated vintage clothing and Filipino history and heritage,” Jodinand told Style Weekend. “That’s what kept me going.”
With piles of unsold clothes in his apartment, Jodinand and his team of sewers put their creative caps on and played with the textiles to produce new pieces. Their first creation was the Zoom pinafore, a backless piece similar to an apron with frills and ruffles one can easily wear to look put together for a Zoom meeting or when receiving deliveries.
During the new normal-pandemic milieu, Glorious Dias found a new home in the First United Building (FUB) in Escolta, Manila City thanks to 98B Collaboratory and Hub: Make Lab. It was not the shop’s first time to be present at the historic location. In the past, it has participated in Hub: Make Lab’s pop-ups, street fairs, and other activations. For Jodinand, taking Glorious Dias to the FUB was a natural move with its legacy in Manila City and the local retail landscape.
“It is in Old Manila. It is a 96-year-old building that is still standing,” he said. “It has survived the war and condo development. The owners provide an amazing environment that fosters such a creative community. This used to be a department store, Berg’s, it has this energy of retail. Before, people would come here dressed to the nines to shop. Through the Hub: Make Lab, we are kind of preserving that experience for Filipinos today.”
A reason to visit Manila
Exploring Glorious Dias’ store is like going through a trunk filled with Filipino pop culture treasures. The store features vintage items dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Summer-ready pieces such as its reworked Presko polos, Camisas, and Dim sum bibs add flair to the store with their colors, prints, and textures. Above them are rows of old Filipino magazines. Boxes of preloved clothes are also present in the store for everyone to dig in and score great finds. These days, the store’s mannequins are dressed in vibrant retro fashions.
“That’s what we’re focused on, comfortable but beautiful garments that make you feel good using old textiles,” Jodinand explained. “From there, we started exploring different cuts and styles. Just simple pieces, nothing too trendy or anything that will take away from the integrity of the textile. The textile itself dictates what we do with it.”
As per Jodinand, he sources materials for his products anywhere, with some of his clients inviting him to their place to check their bauls. Before they go to the store, he inspects the pieces. Most vintage items are left untouched as long as they are still wearable. Some go to his archives as he dreams of starting an exhibit featuring ancient Filipinianas and barongs.
Unlike in its previous space, Glorious Dias in the FUB is gaining a lot of foot traffic, with many young shoppers visiting the store.
“It is exciting to see vintage being embraced more. Maybe six years ago, hindi masyado (not very much)… The popularity of secondhand garments is on the rise and very much appreciated by the young,” the creative said. “Maybe there’s a little challenge in distinguishing secondhand from vintage and vintage from ukay because not all of them are vintage.”
That’s why, for Jodinand, pursuing a physical retail experience rather than an e-commerce business model works better for Glorious Dias. According to him, when it comes to vintage pieces and textiles, one must see it, feel its texture, and try it on. He prefers meeting his customers at the store and giving them a little background about the pieces on display.
“To be honest, doing online feels triggering because it takes me back to the pandemic days of just sitting, going online, and packing everything in the living room,” Jodinand jokingly said. “I like to be out. I like people coming here. It is also nice for people to want to see us and visit the Hub and the other makers that surround us. It is a reason to come and visit Manila.”
(Special thanks to Lorraine Young-Sylianteng and Robby Sylianteng, of First United Building)