Interview with Jhoanna Alba, Founder of ALBA Legacy + Repurpose Legacy
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be involved in the fashion industry. I also never imagined becoming a writer and I ended up co-authoring In Her Purpose with Rose Buado. In Her Purpose is a compilation of 40 women redefining success on their own terms, one of them being Jhoanna Alba. Jhoanna was the first person that Rose and I interviewed for our book, and she set a really high bar. The book exposed me to successful women killing it in their respective fields (and in life). It’s taught me a lot about different industries, expanded my network, and opened doors to new opportunities.
Jhoanna Alba is the founder and Chief Visionaire behind ALBA Legacy. And now, Repurpose Legacy. ALBA, which stands for A Light Beyond Appearance, is a team of passionate visionaries whose creativity is fueled by giving back through the art of fashion. With over 20 years of experience, her stellar client roster includes the most recognizable sports heroes and superstars on the planet. From Magic Johnson to Russell Westbrook, Jhoanna’s custom suits and garments are worn by the most elite professionals in sports, business and entertainment. ALBA is dedicated to creating styles that define the look of your legacy.
I sat down with Jhoanna to talk about her journey and how she consistently disrupts the fashion industry. She’s not afraid to be different, and is unapologetically true to herself. She is now at a point in her career where she is able to give back to the community, continuing to do good, and making a difference in our world and on our planet. All the meanwhile, creating masterpieces that are functional and fashionable.
What’s new and what have you been up to?
When my passion, interests, and profession collide… that’s when I know I am living my purpose. Traveling and fashion are a big part of my life. The fashion industry thrives on excess, but we cannot continue on this trajectory. I’m seeing a huge shift and focus on sustainability, and I am here for it! It’s time to shift our mindset and how the industry operates. A couple ways to do this is through displacing new production and minimizing waste. Another way is to be a leader and influence others to practice ethical standards and do their best to run a green business.
In my current business, I design and make bespoke clothing. Oftentimes, I am left with excess material from my clients’ various projects. Being raised in a Filipino household, I was very resourceful and taught never to waste anything. Rather than tossing the leftover material, I repurposed what would have been scrapped and turned them into beautiful new creations. For the most part, I make clothing for men. Every now and then, I need to stretch my creativity muscle by doing something completely different. I took the excess material to make women’s clothing and accessories. Throughout the years, I’ve designed and created makeup bags, garment bags, reusable shopping bags, shoe bags, dresses, and coats.
During the pandemic, I had nothing but time to be even more creative. To help cope with the shortage of paper masks, I used my talent to help solve this problem by making reusable fabric masks. Masks were mandatory and so it quickly became the latest fashion accessory. Another plus side of reusable masks is that they are more eco-friendly and could be easily washed in the laundry. I also started to make comfy clothing for women to wear at home, and that’s when I started designing and selling Japanese inspired kimono robes. So with this idea and the inspiration to create something more sustainable, together with the ladies of In Her Purpose, we gave birth to our new brand, Repurpose Legacy.
Why did you embark upon this project?
Over the last 20 years, I grew an obsession with Japanese kimonos – not only because of its beautiful design and aesthetic, but also for what it stands for. A kimono is a symbol of longevity and good fortune. Surprisingly, in almost every country I’ve traveled to, I’ve been able to find a kimono. I started to collect them from countries throughout the world. During Super Bowl LIV, I did a charity fashion show which featured some kimono inspired pieces. These one of a kind pieces were enhanced and hand painted on by local artists. Earlier this year, I revisited creating coats and one of a kind kimono inspired designs using excess material from my other projects.
What is Repurpose Legacy?
In September, In Her Purpose was invited to speak at Raquel Quinet’s Play Bigger event in Scottsdale, Arizona. I designed outfits for all the In Her Purpose speakers which included myself, Rose Buado, Colleen Lota, and Jennifer Redondo-Marquez. That day, we received several comments and questions. That’s when we had one of those lightbulb, aha moments! Before we wrapped up the panel, we shared that our wardrobe was designed and made by ALBA. That trip was the kickstarter for our latest collaboration between In Her Purpose and ALBA LEGACY. That was the inception of Repurpose Legacy, which features one of a kind up-cycled fashion with a purpose. Our passion lies in designing clothes and accessories that have individuality and longevity, that appeal to the wearer’s imagination, conscience, and heart.
All of our pieces are high quality, classic, made to last pieces. They are meant to be versatile, in that, you can wear them in casual or formal settings. Our designs can be styled up or down. If you are going for a more casual look, you can pair our designs with jeans. For a business casual look, you can rock our designs with a cami and slacks. For a more formal look, you can wear our design wrapped around with a sash. It’s very classy and glamorous when worn with a great pair of heels.
We are proud to report that we believe in ethical business practices. Our designs are made in Los Angeles, California, United States. Please consider supporting our women, Filipina-American owned business.
How can people purchase Repurpose Legacy and where can they find you?
If you are in the Los Angeles area, we will be debuting our latest line at the Pixi Boutique at the Westfield Century City mall. The event will run from 12 PM - 5 PM, and don’t miss our fashion show at 1 PM - 1:30 PM. If you can’t make it in person, head to our online retail shop. Please remember, since these are one of a kind pieces, once it’s gone, that’s it. You’ll have to tune in and follow us on Instagram @albalegacy and @inherpurpose to find our latest styles.
Written by Jennifer Redondo
Co-Founder and Co-Author of In Her Purpose
YOU MAY WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT
In the picturesque waters off Palawan Island in the Philippines, a local fisherman made an astonishing discovery that remained a secret for over a decade. This is the story of the Pearl of Puerto, valued at over a 100 million dollars.
Read More