When Triloueva started business with P5,000 in capital and a commitment to sustainable fashion, this homegrown Filipino brand found success at home and abroad.

Filipino footwear brand Triloueva began with just P5,000 in capital and a personal mission from one of its founders: to solve the struggle of finding the perfect shoes for size 10 feet without compromising on style or value for money. Almost simultaneously, Triloueva also began with a commitment to sustainable fashion, sourcing its shoes locally from the Philippine shoe manufacturing capital of Marikina. With the company making its shoes from sustainable materials like vegan leather, locally-sourced fabric and wooden heels, it found a market for sustainable fashion. And boosted by online solutions from FedEx, the startup has been able to take the fashion brand to customers around Asia and the world.

Triloueva, which is a portmanteau of its founder’s name, Trina Louisse Evangelista, was founded in 2014. Since then, the sustainable fashion brand has become popular online, propelled by support from local celebrities and influencers. At the same time, it has also developed a robust physical presence with stores in shopping malls in Manila and Alabang.

Sustainable Fashion

In its early days, Triloueva faced challenges in finding suppliers willing to accommodate small orders without sacrificing the high quality standards set by Trina. The founder maintains a hands-on approach in managing all aspects of her business.

“I personally test each and every product to make sure I am satisfied enough for them to go into mass production,” Trina shared. “My regular clients are a crucial part of my brand. I am always all ears for any input they have on my products. I even adapt some of their names for various shoe styles. By doing this, I want them to feel that they are a significant part of the brand, which then leads to their continuous support for Triloueva.”

Trina found the ideal suppliers by collaborating with skilled artisans from Marikina, a city which is experiencing a renaissance in the craft of shoemaking. With their skills and adherence to quality standards (typically Triloueva shoes last three to five years), Trina and Triloueva were able to make a commitment to sustainable fashion. The company uses locally sourced materials in its production, ensuring that its products minimize their impact on the environment.

From Marikina to the World

With Triloueva’s growing popularity, another challenge arose: how to scale the business beyond its current channels. Trina needed a reliable logistics provider to help her expand Triloueva’s operations. She found this partner in FedEx.

“For the past years, I’ve received requests from customers asking me to ship abroad but I had a hard time figuring out the logistics of doing it,” Trina explained. “When I turned to FedEx for support, I was pleasantly surprised how they were able to activate my corporate account within 24 hours. Since then, FedEx has helped elevate my brand to the next level by opening up more opportunities to ship our products to customers worldwide with utmost convenience,” 

FedEx is committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines by offering a platform that helps local entrepreneurs expand into international markets. With a network covering more than 220 countries and territories, FedEx helps SMEs like Triloueva broaden their global presence.

This kind of support is invaluable for entrepreneurs like Trina. Even with its success, Triloueva remains a side hustle for Trina. “Since I am constantly juggling time between my side hustle and a day job, the convenience and flexibility of using FedEx services has provided great relief for me when needed to manage tedious tasks, giving me more time to focus on my work and business,” Trina said.

With key partnerships formed with Marikina artisans and logistics through FedEx, Triloueva has already made its mark in sustainable fashion and faces a bright future. Trina, for her part, eschews the current trend of fast fashion brands turning to manufacturing hubs for quick sales. Instead, she insists on quality. “Do not force yourself to keep up with trends,” she advised aspiring entrepreneurs.