About

Meet Lulu

Lulu Tan–Gan’s name has been synonymous with beautifully crafted knitwear fashion since 1985. Hailed the ‘Queen of Knitwear,’ Lulu continues her design evolution with her extended hand–woven line, “Indigenous Couture” merging the old-world sophistication of Philippine artisan craft with contemporary design. The result is a mastery of construction, current yet ingenious lifestyle dressing, and a distinctive feminine sensibility.

The first two decades of Lulu’s career is marked by her iconic knitwear, which redefined the versatility of knits for the local fashion industry. A favorite of expatriates, tourists, and the jet–set crowd, Lulu’s knits continue to receive praise and accolades for its sleek lines, custom-dyed threads, and fluid, flattering forms.

A fine arts graduate, Lulu has always been driven to find aesthetic design solutions for material challenges. In what she considers the second phase of her career, she takes on the challenge of integrating native fabrics such as piña and silk into her knits collection.

Lulu’s clever play on fashion and function is evident in these signature knit variations, which evolve the use of indigenous fabrics as native costumes to become fashionable, “wearable collectibles”. The indigenous piña’s golden patina deepens over the years, creating modern heirloom pieces that become even more beautiful with time. Reaffirming her mastery of materials, the modern heirloom collectibles are feats of color, construction, texture, and fall.

Lulu’s vision is to encourage the use of stylized indigenous and traditional wear, and in so doing, promote distinctly Filipino fabrics, traditional crafts, and design. The designer draws inspiration from the rich textile and embroidery traditions of the Philippines – from the geometric patterns of traditional tribal woven cloths to the exquisite embroidery and beadwork – and interprets these on her modern silhouettes.

Lulu is an advisory board member of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines, of which she previously held the position of president. A recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Art and Letters) given by the French Minister of Culture. Lulu is also a board member of the Alliance Francaise de Manille.