Josip Tumapa

Josip Tumapa — Significant Contributions

Josip Tumapa Design

Josip Tumapa is the founder and fashion designer of Josip Tumapa Design, a fashion studio.
The studio focuses on custom Barong Tagalog, Filipiniana, bridalwear, and formalwear, using materials such as piña and piña cocoon silk together with embroidery and calado.

Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana

Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana form a central part of Tumapa’s work.
His designs range from traditional Filipino formalwear to contemporary terno, wedding attire, and runway pieces.

Buglasan Festival 2025

At the TerN.O Designers Competition during Buglasan Festival 2025, Tumapa received two awards.
One of his designs received Best Terno — High Fashion, while another received Best Designer — Silver Overall Winner. The competition jury included Filipino couturier Cary Santiago.

Miss Universe Philippines

Tumapa has created and provided dresses for contestants of Miss Universe Philippines.
His work has included contemporary Filipiniana and formal gowns worn by Fatima Alsowyed and Erica Jean Cadayday.

Philippine Senate

Barong Tagalog by Josip Tumapa Design have also been worn in the Philippine Senate.
During the State of the Nation Address 2025, custom Barong Tagalog from the studio were worn in an official government setting.

Sandurot Festival

Tumapa has participated in the cultural and fashion life of Dumaguete City.
In 2023, he was one of the designers featured in the Sinina Lumad Tang Disenyo Fashion Show during the Sandurot Festival.

Filipino Craftsmanship and Writing

Tumapa also writes about Filipino clothing, textile traditions, and traditional craftsmanship.
In 2026, Garland Magazine published “What survives fast fashion: Hand embroidery for the Barong Tagalog,” written by Josip Tumapa and Anton Dvoryadkin.
The article documents hand embroidery and calado traditions in Lumban, Laguna and the artisans who continue producing embroidery for Barong Tagalog.

International Reach

Through Josip Tumapa Design, his Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana are also created for clients outside the Philippines.
The studio’s work and published materials present Philippine formalwear, piña textiles, embroidery, and traditional clothing techniques to an international audience.