Growing up in a family that dominates the Philippine retail and luxury scene, Nikki Huang has developed a deep understanding of how the clothing industry works—whether in business, design, branding, or the customer experience. But to truly grasp the retail landscape, a passion for style is a must, and that is something she inherited from her family, especially the women around her.

Back in 2019, during her gap year, Nikki chronicled her love for fashion and how women like her mother, Nina, and Rustan Commercial Corporation matriarch the late Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco helped shape her relationship with fashion through her Manila Bulletin column, “Next.”

After years of sharing style tips, offering an insider’s view of the fashion industry, and opening up her closet to readers, Nikki, now Rustan's director of Business Development, is bringing clothing with timeless designs that suit the Philippine climate and, more importantly, celebrate the lives of the women who wear them.

Last May 25, at Rustan’s Makati, Nikki officially brought ALC to the Philippines. Founded by Andrea Lieberman in 2009, the brand, which stands for Andrea Lieberman Clothing, reflects what the celebrity stylist-turned-designer stands for: sleek, polished staples that can fit into a carry-on and seamlessly adapt to any style.

“I love this brand genuinely, from the bottom of my heart, since 2018, when I moved to the US for college,” Nikki tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “It is a full-circle story because I would shop there all the time, and I developed a good relationship with the team in New York. Every time I’m there for fashion week, events, or balls, they would send clothes to my place.”

“Eventually, the team ended up asking what I did, and I told them about the family business,” she continues. “As the years went by, I asked if they would like to have a department-store presence in the Philippines.”

The brand merges New York edge with Los Angeles ease, creating a women’s ready-to-wear line distinguished by its luxurious quality, meticulous attention to detail, and confident silhouettes. ALC has several stores across the US, including Beverly Hills, SoHo, Miami, and East Hampton, but its arrival in the Philippines marks its first venture in Asia and beyond the US.

Andrea knows exactly the type of woman she is dressing when she created the brand. She is confident, cultured, and connected. “She lives in urban and affluent suburban areas,” the brand notes. “With an appreciation for cultural values, higher education, and global awareness, she is environmentally conscious and active within her community.”

To mirror that woman's style and life, the brand developed designs that capture her sense of adventure and sophistication. During the brand’s launch, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle got to see the pieces up close and learn more about their intentional design and innovative fabrication.

One of the standout pieces is a pale mint dress made from SeaCell jersey, a soft and breathable fabric derived from seaweed and wood pulp. Dubbed the Ayla, the midi dress features ruching and a fluid, softly draped skirt that hugs every curve of a woman’s body without compromising ease of movement.

The Romy Pleated Satin Gown and Gia Asymmetric Draped Lace Gown spotlight the brand’s exploration of international materials, using luminous Japanese satin and archival French lace, respectively. The Rustan’s Makati display also highlights the brand’s newest line of suiting. Fit for the woman on the go is the Calla Jacket, which balances menswear-inspired sharpness with relaxed, feminine ease. Oversized yet structured, it pairs effortlessly with trousers and heels or denim and sneakers, moving seamlessly from day to night.

ALC believes in the power of community. The brand champions women and womanhood while grounding its creativity in respect, generosity, and deep understanding. To echo that philosophy, Nikki invited a bevy of women from Manila’s stylish set to celebrate the brand’s arrival.

Clad in the brand’s pieces were host Janeena Chan, interior designer Stephanie Dods, actress Kyline Alcantara, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, among others, all of whom demonstrated how ALC pieces can seamlessly transition across different aspects of a modern woman’s lifestyle.

“We seek to inspire and guide rather than prescribe. We provide our woman pieces with a point of view that she can make her own,” the brand says. “We create purposefully, specializing in the nuances of form, fit, and fabrication that offer a fresh perspective on classic silhouettes. It’s quality you can feel—and thoughtful details that increase your confidence instantly.”