Innovation

In the realm of social enterprises, visionaries are few and far between. However, Anya Tan Lim, the creative force behind ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, has emerged as a shining example of how innovation can transform an entire industry. The enterprise offers a diverse and captivating range of products and collections, from skirts, dresses, boleros, blouses, hats, jackets, accessories, sling bags, and various ornaments every holiday season. On top of that, it also offers made-to-order services handcrafted through slow fashion in 2-3 weeks, which are tailor-fit and made perfectly for its customers. Anya and her team have made innovation an indispensable pillar of their operations that caters to individuals seeking stylish and sustainable fashion choices, with a deep-rooted passion for preserving cultural heritage, empowering local artisans, and delivering unique and modern products to the Filipino market,

The method of design and creation is not confined to the clothes people make at ANTHILL Fabric Gallery. Rather, it is a "communal effort that actively involves the artisans themselves." Anya carefully considers the suggestions and recognizes the abilities and skills of both the craftsmen and the production team to create a sustainable and efficient process. By doing so, she ensures that ANTHILL’s designs are compatible with the artisans' expertise and aligned with the production team's capabilities. This thoughtful approach allows for seamless integration of craftsmanship and production, minimizing waste and maximizing productivity, making ANTHILL’s offerings a one-of-a-kind representation of Filipino culture.

Innovation for ANTHILL Fabric Gallery extends beyond aesthetics; it also encompasses circularity. One way it does this is by upcycling old clothes and transforming them into new products, demonstrating a commitment to reducing environmental impact. ANTHILL's commitment to zero-waste fabrics and designs that endure over generations exemplifies its dedication to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Anya challenges the notion that sustainable and ethically made products are inherently more expensive, educating customers about the broader impact of their choices. Through transparent supply chains, fair wages, and conscious consumerism, ANTHILL Fabric Gallery encourages customers to support livelihoods and preserve culture, further resonating with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Moreover, ANTHILL Fabric Gallery stands out by understanding the needs of modern Filipina women. They create clothing that is a fusion of Filipino traditional weaves and fashion. The enterprise conducts intensive research for the products it offers. Therefore, the attributes of its products, including functionality and style, fit the modern lives of Filipina women. ANTHILL also consistently promotes circularity within the fashion industry by advocating for rework and repair services. In doing so, it emphasizes the potential of transforming and extending the product's lifecycle, such as the old skirt that you no longer wear but adore the fabric of. This approach, which combines sustainability with the desire for modernity, empowers women to express their identities. ANTHILL serves as a testament to creating a harmonious space where tradition and modernity coexist.

Establishing a brand that resonates both locally and internationally is no easy feat. Nevertheless, ANTHILL Fabric Gallery has embraced this challenge and set clear business goals that are crucial for its continued growth and success. At the heart of ANTHILL's business goals is the desire to expand its reach through community engagement, improve the versatility and functionality of its clothing pieces, and adapt to modernity and technology. As Anya mentioned, “We continuously aim to evolve as a style research and innovation center, consistently focusing on developing new textiles and zero waste applications.”

ANTHILL seeks to build a community of dedicated customers who believe in its advocacy and brand stories beyond economic success. The enterprise aims to establish a sustainable network of like-minded individuals who share its founders' and artisans' passion for preserving cultural heritage and supporting ethical fashion by fostering strong connections. ANTHILL ensures that every decision aligns with its vision of having a human-flourishing community, generating a positive influence in the socio and cultural aspects, with a holistic approach to the business. ANTHILL Fabric Gallery is weaving a tapestry of Filipino craftsmanship, redefining the fashion industry one thread at a time, through its long-standing commitment.

Inspiration

There’s a saying that Rome wasn’t built in a day, but then again, Rome wasn’t built by women. After years and years of oppression, 21st-century women are the epitome of empowerment and bravery. Anya and her mom are no less than just that. Anya saw early on the struggles of her mom, Annie, who was balancing different roles, both as a career woman and as a mother. Since then, Anya grew up with nationalistic parents who valued culture and heritage. She was immersed in the beauty of local indigenous communities and saw multiple gaps in the industry.

Firstly, women artisans were most commonly mothers who did not believe they could earn a living from weaving. To them, this isn’t a profession that could feed them and their families. These women want to go and work to sustain their families and put food on their table daily but are also worried about being mothers and staying at home to watch over the kids. Secondly, there was a huge gap in cultural continuity between elder artisan weavers and the younger generation. The culture and heritage of weaving alongside other culturally rich indigenous crafts were not being preserved. They were brought down generation after generation because there was a lack of market access for these artisans. If crafts like weaving cannot be a profession, what motivation would they have to keep doing it if they cannot even fill their stomachs with what little they have left? “I also witnessed first-hand what death of a culture looks like, how a village can go from thriving (in terms of indigenous crafts) to a ghost town,” Anya expressed. Like the different cultural practices and heritage crafts never even existed, preservation is extremely challenging if the art or practice is not enough to sustain you. Thirdly, people do not see heritage crafts as something they can be proud of. There is a lack of dignity and pride in their crafts simply because they do not see its value due to the lack of market access.

Given these gaps, Anya wanted to do more than preserve the culture and heritage of these indigenous tribes. She also wanted to preserve the value of what it means to be part of a community, all while empowering women to uphold their careers and family lives, which also addresses SDG 5: Gender Equality in the Workplace. This powerful grounding of values and deep passion for nationality, heritage preservation, market bridging, and love for women empowerment inspired Anya to visualize an enterprise like ANTHILL to come to life. The business thrived as much as it did because of the story that sat at the core of it all. It’s more than just a business. Its stories of women artisans, mothers, and artists weaved together to form a tapestry of culture and heritage that blanketed the continuity of a community and beamed Filipino pride.

Overall impact

With over 14 years of existence, ANTHILL Fabric Gallery has been persistently impacting various domains, while upholding its core commitments and values in every endeavor. ANTHILL has exemplified its commitment to cultural continuity, design and innovation, circularity and zero waste, enterprise development, sustainable livelihood, women empowerment, and social procurement, manifesting in the organization’s activities and initiatives.

ANTHILL’s efforts toward creating a positive environmental impact include its circularity and zero-waste programs that contribute to the significant reduction of textile waste through the upcycling of manufacturing scraps into new fabrics. An example was when the Argao Weaving Community, ANTHILL's textile partner in Cebu, Philippines, crafted approximately 6,000 meters of zero-waste fabrics by repurposing about 3,000 kilograms of textile waste. Essentially, the weavers can upcycle 2.5 kilos of scrap fabrics for every meter of new upcycled or zero waste weave. In addition, the organization also has a "Weave-Exchange" program that promotes conscious consumption, in which customers are rewarded with gift cards for the return of pre-loved ANTHILL products—a means of avoiding immediate disposal of the product and extending its lifetime. Efforts like this undertaken by social enterprises like ANTHILL underscore the tangible impact of conscientious initiatives on environmental sustainability.

Meanwhile, regarding the organization’s socio-cultural impact, another initiative that inspires the organization is how ANTHILL fosters community and pride among its artisans and partners. One of their programs, called the "Master and Apprentice" program, involves the supported training of younger artisans, ensuring that the traditional skills are passed on from one generation to the next, preserving the Filipino cultural heritage and instilling a deep appreciation for cultural continuity within the communities. This ensures that these cultural traditions continue to live generation after generation. Moreover, by transforming traditional weaves into contemporary designs, ANTHILL promotes cultural appreciation and celebrates Filipino identity, fostering a strong sense of belonging and cultural pride among Filipinos.

ANTHILL's economic impact reverberates through its steadfast enterprise development initiatives, which catalyze the growth and prosperity of artisan communities. The then-only two Argao weavers became 15 Argao weavers, brought by ANTHILL’s corporate partnerships and community support. From this alone, it can be seen how ANTHILL values the members of its supply chain. In addition to this, ANTHILL empowers artisans to unlock their entrepreneurial potential and thrive in their craft by providing essential support such as market access, business skills training, and capacity-building opportunities. Through sustainable livelihood programs, the organization ensures income security and economic stability for the artisans, thereby making significant strides towards poverty reduction within partner communities in line with SDG 1: No Poverty.

Moreover, ANTHILL's ecosystem business model is a beacon of economic empowerment, fostering equal growth among partners and stakeholders. By equipping artisans with the necessary skills and resources, ANTHILL empowers them to build sustainable livelihoods and paves the way for economic development in underserved areas. In essence, ANTHILL's commitment to economic empowerment transforms lives and lays the groundwork for inclusive prosperity and long-term sustainability.

Overall, ANTHILL Fabric Gallery’s programs and activities have wide-ranging impacts across environmental, socio-cultural, and economic aspects, exhibiting a holistic approach to its commitments. By encouraging sustainable practices and reducing waste, ANTHILL contributes to environmental conservation and fosters a more eco-friendly fashion industry. By implementing the Master and Apprentice programs, ANTHILL preserves Filipino cultural heritage and cultivates cultural pride and appreciation among communities. Finally, through its Enterprise Development initiatives and sustainable livelihood programs, ANTHILL truly empowers artisan communities, fostering economic stability, poverty reduction, and inclusive prosperity.

Business benefit

ANTHILL Fabric Gallery generates several business benefits while upholding its mission to celebrate Philippine culture and preserve weaving traditions. These advantages include:

1. Economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. ANTHILL's collaboration with women artisans and indigenous communities empowers them economically by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. Many of these artisans are mothers balancing multiple roles and can earn a steady income from their weaving skills by partnering with ANTHILL. This supports their families and contributes to overall economic growth within the Philippines.
2. Preservation of cultural heritage. ANTHILL bridges the generational gap by involving elder artisan weavers and the younger generation. This approach ensures the preservation of traditional weaving techniques and cultural heritage. The younger artisans actively engage in the design process, allowing them to learn and contribute while incorporating contemporary styles. By preserving cultural heritage, ANTHILL adds value to its proffered products and distinguishes itself as a highly sustainable symbol in the apparel and textile market.
3. Market access and recognition. ANTHILL addresses the lack of market access for indigenous artisans by providing them a platform to showcase their products and connect with a broader market. This increased market access enhances the recognition and appreciation of their crafts. Through ANTHILL, artisans gain visibility and reach customers who value and support sustainable and ethical products. This fosters a stronger sense of cultural value and pride in their work.
4. Upholding of fair trade and ethical work. ANTHILL dedicates itself to effectuating ethical work and fair trade. The brand supports the sustainability of the local economies of the communities the enterprise works and collaborates with by ensuring that its artisans and craftsmen are fairly compensated for their labor. ANTHILL leads by example in the fashion industry with its ethical, standards-abiding business methods epitomizing a sustainable approach. Thus, it earns its consumers' and other stakeholders' complete trust and respect as a responsible enterprise.
5. Responsible consumerism and community engagement. ANTHILL goes beyond being a business and actively engages with communities. ANTHILL fosters a like-minded community that values cultural preservation, sustainability, and ethical practices by promoting responsible consumerism and inspiring conscious decision-making. This community-building approach generates a positive social impact, creates a sense of unity among ANTHILL’s customers and partners, and emphasizes the ultimate goal of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
6. Collective growth and collaboration. As ANTHILL thrives, it benefits not only the founders but also the artisans and smaller merchants within its network. The business's growth creates opportunities for these stakeholders to expand their reach, generate more employment, and increase their impact. ANTHILL promotes a collective growth mindset within the industry by supporting smaller sustainable businesses that contribute to the overall development of the weaving community.

Social and environmental benefit

More than just a fabric store, ANTHILL is a movement towards preserving Filipino heritage, empowering women, and promoting ethical fashion. The whole existence of the social and cultural enterprise is about promoting environmental sustainability through encouraging slow fashion and preserving traditional Filipino crafts. ANTHILL creates opportunities for indigenous women to make their livelihood and culture sustainable, showcasing their craft by offering solutions to modern problems such as textile waste and fashion demands. This allows them to use the craftsmanship they inherited to be enjoyed by future generations.

Although the enterprise cannot use 100 percent sustainable materials due to the nature of its products, its programs, such as community calls for scraps and the weave exchange program, demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to circularity, ensuring materials' lifecycles are extended rather than ending in landfills. In line with this, ANTHILL challenges its consumers to rethink their current shopping habits in favor of more sustainable and ethically produced alternatives by educating them in every touch point that it can connect to customers through, whether a physical pop-up store or its social media pages. In doing so, the enterprise can also share the untold stories of women living indigenously. This leads consumers to value each piece the business has, viewing it as an art to pass on from generation to generation and being encouraged to patronize a slow fashion movement not built on thrift, but rather in value to the time and skill dedicated to making the products. Through ANTHILL’s initiatives, efforts have benefited the immediate community of artisans and set a benchmark for the fashion industry at large, proving that it is possible to merge tradition with innovation for a more sustainable and culturally rich future.

Having heard Anya’s inspiration behind ANTHILL—her motivations, her deeply-seated values, and her story of how she was able to impact multiple lives, communities, and cultures—this story ultimately inspires us to take a deeper look within ourselves and our communities moving forward. Even just as more students, we now seek to discover what impact we, too, can make to create something that weaves wider tapestries beyond ourselves.

Interview

Anya Tan Lim, Founder