At The Everyday Store, the gallery and the fashion designer unveil Maning, a new book celebrating the life and legacy of fashion illustrator Maning Obregon.
Maning Obregon—does the name ring a bell?
At best, he might be familiar to a sartorially inclined set, but even within that circle, he is widely unheard of; and this is despite his significant contributions to fashion.
In the new book Maning by Isidra Reyes, readers will learn of Obregon’s storied career as a fashion illustrator, working alongside the legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. Born in Brooklyn to Filipino parents, Obregon’s career brought him to Paris, where he would sit front row at shows to capture by hand the looks sent down the runway, creating live sketches that would appear in Vogue, The New York Times, and Manila Women’s Wear.
Published by Archivo 1984, the book culls its extensive research from archival materials, original illustrations, photographs, and personal documents, to offer a rare and intimate look into his life.
“At a time when fashion is enjoying a renewed cultural moment (with growing interest in design, archives, craftsmanship, and the stories behind the clothes we wear), it felt like the right time to reintroduce Maning’s work to a new generation,” Dr. Marti Magsanoc, gallery director at Archivo 1984, tells Vogue. “His career reminds us that Filipinos have long been contributing to global creative conversations, even if those stories have not always been widely told.”
The book launch will take place this August 8, and the celebration will mark another milestone: the opening of the Everyday Store, a collaborative endeavor between Archivo 1984 and fashion designer Hindy Weber.
A designer of over two decades, Hindy’s design practice is anchored on “thoughtful clothing made from natural materials for the way people actually live here in Manila.” Her latest capsule, which will be available in-store, strips this philosophy down even further with zero dyes and simple silhouettes, from hemp and linen tank tops to organic cotton net pullovers. Alongside this capsule, the brick-and-mortar will also host the Everyday Club, a foray into casual sportswear inspired by old-world country and garden clubs. “The pieces find purpose in the in-betweens of activities, from gardening to pickleball, post-gym workout to lunch with friends, sweating it out to lounging about,” Hindy explains.
Their partnership found its footing organically, given that both Marti and Hindy have always shared a belief in that fashion, books, art, music, and objects have rich narratives that have the ability to inspire those that indulge in them. According to Hindy, they wished to evoke the spirit of a gallery or library rather than a traditional store, and it reflects in the boutique’s curation and design.
Each corner titillates the senses: shelves of clean beauty essentials, walls plastered with art, a table display of coffee table books and magazines, and another stacked with musical records. There are racks and racks of clothes, and in the center of the room, a generous couch to remind guests to take their time and stay a while. It’s a “a place where people can slow down,” Hindy offers, “discover something unexpected, buy a unique gift, and discover objects with essence.”
Ultimately, Everyday is an invitation to engage deeply with culture rather than simply consume it. Marti adds, “We wanted the launch to feel less like a traditional book event and more like an immersive experience, where visitors could encounter the book alongside clothing, objects, and ideas that share the same creative spirit.”
Both creatives are fans of Obregon, resonating with his values of thoughtful craftsmanship in daily life. Marti, in particular, is passionate about preserving those kinds of personal histories, especially when it comes to distinctly Pinoy narratives.