Inspired by heritage

My love for the terno first started in 2019 after I took my first trip to the Philippines. I was searching for ways I could combine a love for my heritage, my fascination with history, and my constant desire to sew. Then, in May of 2021, my cousin asked me to make a communion dress for my niece that had the iconic Filipina butterfly sleeve and after that I was completely smitten.

The Terno has a long history in Filipino culture and has always evoked elegance, dignity, and identity. For me, the Terno is the Filipino version of the Kimono of Japan or the cheongsam of China in its timelessness, simplicity and style. I have always felt that it was too beautiful a silhouette only to be worn on special occasions, or by older generations who reserve the Terno for formal wear. A simple search for a Terno brought me to the realization that there are very few options available for true modern filipiniana.


The filipiniana pieces that you will see in my shop are designed to be part of your everyday wardrobe. They are meant to be worn effortlessly and daily, not preciously and rarely. Through flattering fit and modern fabrications, I hope to encourage younger generations to proudly wear their heritage so that it can be admired and appreciated by all who see it, not just fellow Filipinos. I want to show the world the beauty of our cultural icon by bestowing upon the Terno the greatest honor one could give a garment, which is simply to be worn.

Inspired by Family

This is my grandma. Her name was Leonor Dumpit Guingab, but we called her Grandma Emily.

She came from the town of Naguilian, in the province of La Union (pronounced La Ooh-n-yone). She married my grandpa Joseph at the age of 18 and together they raised 8 children in the Binondo district of Manila. She was a seamstress all her life. Making dresses for her children and clothes for family and neighbors, she helped support her family with her trade.

When she came to the states, she opened a small alterations shop called “Guingab Dress Boutique” in National City on Division Street. My earliest memories of my grandma were of her, busy behind her sewing machine. I fondly remember her making me dresses and altering my clothes in no time at all. I remember the smell of garlic and onion when she was cooking, I remember her picking kamote tops in the backyard, the way she said “good morning!” and the last time she wished me happy birthday. I was 15 years old.

She passed away in 2005, and it was that same year I taught myself to sew because she was no longer there to show me how. Sitting at her sewing machine for the first time, I could never imagine how far my curiosity would eventually take me, but it has given me a passion that I have carried with me ever since. I have not stopped sewing since that day, and i often wonder what she would think if she could see how I’ve tried to carry on her legacy.

Sometimes I wonder how she would do certain things, and just wish I could ask her if I am even doing it right. She would know, she was an expert. I can only imagine now, but one day when I see her again in the glory of God’s presence I’ll know how she looked after me, and guided my hands when I was stuck.

This whole thing, this endeavor, is dedicated to my beautiful and loving Grandma Emily, whose name I carry within my own.

Hanggang sa muli kitang makita, Lola. Mamahalin kita ng buong puso ko.

-Eleonore Santos Frank

Meet Us

  • Owner / Designer / Dressmaker

    Eleonore graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA with a degree in Fashion Design. After graduation, Eleonore and her husband moved to New York and it was there that she worked for designers such as Yigal Azrouel, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, and Calvin Klein.

    In May of 2020, Eleonore and her husband made the difficult decision to leave New York amid the nation wide shutdown during the Pandemic, and move back to the west coast.

    Eleonore founded La Union Filipiniana, which was inspired by a trip she took to the Philippines in 2019 and the first Terno dress she made for her niece’s first communion.

    Each piece is 100% handmade by Eleonore in her home in San Diego, CA.

  • Media Production

    Founder of Frank Ideas, Brian has spent the last 10 years working in the film and video production industry. He is the sometime photographer turned full time Art Director of Studio La Union. He got his first big break as assistant to Ivan Cash of Cash Studios ,a job he took so he could move to San Francisco and be with, then girlfriend, Eleonore. Today, he works on short form films and documentaries shot locally and abroad.

Newsletter

Be the first to know about our new collection
launches, special offers & other updates.