“This is where it all began for me,” reflects fashion designer Arleen Sipat-Sutton as she reminisces about Azucar’s return to Power Plant Mall in Makati City. “When pop-ups were still referred to as bazaars, this was the first mall that provided me with a space to showcase my brand.”

Fifteen years later, Arleen launches a two-month pop-up at the R2 level of the mall, running until Sept. 30, 2025. This is more than just a retail space—it’s a homecoming for the designer to reconnect with the discerning crowd.

Founded in 2010, Azucar began as a rebranding of Arleen’s original resort wear label, Salsatrends. Its current signature styles showcase elegant ready-to-wear (RTW) pieces for special occasions, as well as a resort collection that’s designed for leisure and travel. Each piece delivers a sophisticated aesthetic and flattering silhouettes.

“Each Azucar piece is thoughtfully produced with exemplary Filipino craftsmanship, from fabric selection to finishing. It’s always about infusing luxurious femininity with everyday wearability,” she expounds.

This time, in this pop-up, shoppers can expect a fresh range of new and limited RTW pieces that showcase the designer’s current lifestyle—modern, mindful, and travel-ready.

The initial drops feature resort wear coordinates made from linen fabric, adorned with playful embroideries of local items that Arleen finds delightful, including pineapples, bananas, and calamansi. She has more surprises in store: "It's an elevated line that blends sophistication with the relaxed spirit of island living, all presented in limited pieces."

There are also tops made from local fabrics, such as inabel, featuring life-sized gumamela floral embroidery. “I love gumamela,” she reiterates. “Showcasing Filipino craftsmanship honors my roots and my family—especially my mom and sister, who are bridal and accessories designers from Mindanao. It’s my way of supporting our culture and local artisans through fashion and lifestyle.”

To enhance the shopping experience, the store features Arleen’s curated lifestyle finds from all over the country—fairly priced Filipino-made accessories like handmade crystal beaded bags, earrings, and necklaces, along with minaudières made with leather and local textiles like t’nalak. Artisan-crafted Solano lamps by artist Michelle Lao are also available. She notes, “Her lamps beautifully complement the clothing and complete the overall look and feel of the store.”

As the designer guided us through the different racks of clothing, we observed a wide variety of fabrics. Each one is distinct from the other.

It was then that Arleen shared that she enjoys exploring local fabric markets. From India and Hong Kong to Italy, Japan, Australia, and even Thailand, she scours textile markets in every city she visits. “I love discovering textures, prints, and artisanal materials that you won’t find in Manila,” she says. “I always buy fabric in limited quantities, carefully selecting pieces that feel special and luxurious for my RTW collection.”

This practice also ensures that she maintains limited quantities for each style, typically producing six to eight pieces, keeping the exclusivity of her designs.

New pieces are also released weekly. If there are styles that are not available in the client’s size, “Custom orders are possible for select styles, based on available materials or alternative fabrics to suit the client’s preference.”

Entering the store reminds us of how we’re all connected. Get to know the world through Arleen’s choice of fabrics and her designs. “Every destination I visit inspires me, through its culture, fashion, and spirit. These experiences enrich Azucar with depth, warmth, and authenticity, shaping everything I created.”