First creative social enterprise opens in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Putting aside the main purpose of business and focusing on the help they could bring to the community, a new kind of enterprise recently opened in Cebu, which is a first of its kind in the city.

Anthill Fabric Gallery is defined by Anya Lim, the Chief Operating officer and General Manager, “as a revolutionary fabric retail concept, an art gallery and a social enterprise rolled into one hub.”

The gallery is the first creative social enterprise and lifestyle store in the city said Lim wherein they bring into one ingenuity, fashion, culture, advocacy and art. It features different and special textiles from Asia and also highlights the beauty of intricate woven indigenous fabrics from the Philippine hill tribes.

“In this shop, fabrics are more than just rolls of cloth. Anthill houses the utilization of fabrics for artistic endeavors and innovative executions transforming fabric into art,” explained Lim who shared that they not only feature creativeness but their main purpose is to help people who have the capacity to use their art to earn for a living.

Lim explained that their gallery has three major brands that reflect their business model namely Fabric Sugar Rush, The Indie Workers Trail and The Colony.

The Fabric Sugar Rush is the main gallery choices of special fabrics with a different rare and vintage prints and classic plains while The Indie Workers Trail are choices of vibrant weaves and indigenous fabrics which products help make the livelihood of women weavers in indigenous tribes more sustainable, and eventually contribute to the preservation of their local craft. “The Colony is a special chamber in the store were young entrepreneurs are given a venue to jumpstart their businesses. This section is a way to celebrate the entrepreneurial minds and creative spirit of the Cebuano.”

Lim explained that the gallery is aimed “to give back to the community as it supports income generation among young entrepreneurs and rural communities especially indigenous tribes all over the country. It is a human collaboration of hard work and passions all intertwined in one shared dream.”

Anthill formally opened with the presence of 12 local painters and 14 of Cebu’s young fashion designers that will show of their works as they march along the celebration dubbed as “where culture meets style.”

The designers will show of designs in the “Indie goes Urban” Fashion Show that advocates “sustainable style for the 21st century woman that will give sustainable life for women weavers.” The Artists and sculptors will also feature their works as they collaborate art in one contemporary exhibit- Co[Operation].