Hidden Gems: Meet Ericke Tan of Gara

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericke Tan.

Hi Ericke, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Gara started as a natural extension of my early love for storytelling and personal style. I used to run a blog where I shared outfits, travels, and the unique pieces that inspired me. But over time, I realized I wanted to help people discover more meaningful pieces, items with soul, story, and intention behind them.

Growing up in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, in the ’90s and early 2000s, I had to actively seek out inspiration through underground music, indie films, or my mom’s Vogue and Nylon subscriptions. That shaped how much I value individuality. I built Gara to be a resource for people like that—those who crave something different and want a space that reflects their unique taste without having to dig forever to find it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely not a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what makes it meaningful. It’s been a patchwork path, one that started before I even knew I was building something. Gara began as a personal outlet to share resources, celebrate craftsmanship, and find more intention in how I engaged with fashion. At the time, it was purely creative, something I poured myself into and funded out of pocket because it meant something to me.

But as it’s grown, I’ve had to reckon with the fact that it’s no longer just a passion project. It’s a business. And with that comes a different responsibility: financial sustainability, systems, and scaling. That shift has been one of the biggest challenges—learning to hold onto the heart of what Gara is and building the structure it needs to grow and thrive long-term. I’m still figuring it out, but I try to stay rooted in why I started in the first place: to create something meaningful for people who see fashion as more than just trends.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gara is a family-run brand, and that’s one of the things I’m most proud of. My sister-in-law oversees production for our Inabel line, my brother captures our photos, my sister runs our social media, and my cousins help bring the visuals to life through design. It takes a village—and ours is made of family.

At its core, Gara is a home for unique finds. We specialize in “objects of leisure”—pieces that blend ease with individuality. Our primary offering is bags sourced directly from Ilocos Norte, my home province in the Philippines. They’re made from Inabel, a traditional handwoven cotton fabric usually used for home goods. Each pattern is hand-loomed, meaning no two runs are identical. Once a pattern or colorway is gone, it might be gone for good. It’s one of the things that makes Inabel so special: it’s lived-in, rooted in tradition, and always one-of-a-kind.

We reimagine this heritage fabric into modern forms—bags, pouches, accessories—while honoring its origins. We also curate vintage deadstock sunglasses, package them in padded Inabel pouches, and offer a handful of other goods, like illustrated water bottles. Our store is called Gara Sun, a nod to island living. Our pieces are functional and practical, but always with a bit of edge and soul.

But Gara isn’t just a shop, it’s a creative hub. Our blog is where we share stories that inspire us: interviews with self-made creatives, playlists that reflect our mood, movie and event recommendations, and cultural deep dives. We highlight global Filipinos who’ve made history in tech, fashion, and music, and document our explorations around the Philippines. It’s also my way of showing Filipino culture as I know it, beyond the mainstream narrative. I grew up in the underground scene of Ilocos Norte in the ’90s and early 2000s, where I had to actively seek out inspiration through zines, bootleg CDs, and indie films. That spirit of discovery lives on in everything we share. Gara is a space for those always searching for something offbeat, off-the-radar, but still deeply rooted in who we are.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Adaptability, for sure. But also being deeply grounded in my roots. I only create or share things I genuinely know and love. Whether it’s highlighting craftsmanship from the province I grew up in or sourcing items that feel both useful and unique, everything at Gara is made or chosen with intention.

Balance—being rooted but flexible—has helped us grow. It allows me to stay true to my vision while evolving the brand in ways that still feel honest.

Pricing:

• Bags range from $28-$54
• Water bottles are $28
• Sunglasses are $40
• We also have other items like stickers that start at $2

Contact Info:

• Website: https://garasun.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gara.sun/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@garafm

Image Credits
Brandon Tan
Vince Canlapan