Introducing Kasha, an innovative fashion startup that’s redefining the way Filipinos shop for stylish local pieces. Launched last February by three 22-year-old college students—Krishia Dela Cruz, Benedict Cagampan, and Joey Tolentino—Kasha is more than just a shopping site. The platform aims to empower local brands, local weavers, traditional textile suppliers, and most of all–solve one of the biggest struggles in online shopping: ensuring the perfect size.
In essence, Kasha connects shoppers to an all-local array of Filipino brands, while offering AI-powered size-matching. Just enter your measurements, and skip the anxiety of wondering about ill-fitting clothes–just a smarter way to shop for styles that are tailor-fit for your body.
A Solution Borne From Personal Struggles
Founder Krishia Dela Cruz, a fashionista by heart, once sold clothes online. Bombarded by confusing size charts and constant fit inquiries from customers, she realized that her client’s struggles mirrored her own. Once bullied for being “too thin,” she had trust issues when buying clothes. When even tops marked as “Extra Small” draped on her like a hanger, she realized that there had to be a better way to navigate the different size measurements followed by each brand.
Beyond technical challenges, Kasha also seeks to break the western-centered style choices in most shopping platforms by championing works by local makers and creatives, centered around Filipino bodies and style culture.
From Lab Coats to Fashion Tech: Krishia’s Story
Krishia Dela Cruz is not the typical tech founder. A BS Chemistry student at UP Diliman, she has always had a passion for fashion and a business-savvy mindset. She sees herself more in her business than in chemistry, always identifying as an entrepreneur, a problem-solver, and a go-getter.
Even while immersed in chemistry coursework, she couldn’t shake the dream of building her own startup. Determined to realize her vision, she took business classes, joined hackathons, and seized every opportunity to sharpen her entrepreneurial skills.
Building Kasha has been the biggest risk she has taken, but also the most fulfilling. She believes in their innovation, mission, and thrust in supporting Filipino brands. Clearly, many others also trust in the platform’s vision. Backed by StartupQC, QBO, UP ISSI, and The Blokc, Kasha is set to make waves in the local fashion scene.
“I’m a strong advocate for slow, sustainable, and local fashion. We need to support local brands and weavers more instead of defaulting to international ones. There’s this notion that international brands automatically mean high quality, and we’re willing to pay thousands for them without hesitation. But Filipino brands of er high-quality clothes too, so why do we hesitate? They need more visibility.”
At launch, Kasha is already home to a lineup of proudly Filipino brands, including:
- The TGB, a social enterprise funding scholars through Binakol vests,
- SUPRfly, sustainable streetwear using 100% cotton and water-based ink,
- Dostres, local streetwear featuring hip designs of Filipino street food,
- Project.ph, clothing made from katsa, from flour sacks or cheesecloth,
- Wear Bambeu, sustainable brand boasting tank tops made of bamboo textile.
Kasha’s vision is clear: Filipinos should shop by their body, not by dress size. The platform aims to make local shopping effortless, ensuring that every purchase fits just right. More than that, it’s about helping homegrown brands grow, thrive, and reach the audience they deserve.
Want to be part of the movement? Local brands and weavers can easily list their products on Kasha by signing up at trykasha.com/sellers/login or booking an onboarding call at this link. Kasha offers one month with zero commission fees, an integrated AI-size recommendation tool, shipping partnerships, and marketing support.
Kasha is redefining how Filipinos shop, proving that local brands are just as good—if not better—than international ones. The platform is making sizing easy, empowering small businesses, and creating a future where shopping is truly personalized.