Viajecito Inc. is listed as a Philippine private retail company founded in 2016, specializing in fashion, bags, and accessories.[2]

The origins of Viajecito can be traced to a trip to Spain. In 2015, the founders encountered a brightly colored silicone beach tote purchased there. The unusual combination of a durable silicone body, rope handles, and removable lining caught their attention and eventually served as the inspiration for the business.[3]

Founders Pia Ugarte Garcia-Morera, Marta Garcia-Morera, and Marla Aquino Batallones were connected by travel, friendship, and family relationships. During the early stages of the business, Marta was based in Madrid while Pia and Marla were based in Manila, creating a cross-border operational structure. Marta focused on travel, trend discovery, and sourcing, while Pia and Marla managed sales and operations in the Philippines.[4]

The company was formally established in the mid-2010s, with Viajecito identifying 2016 as the beginning of the brand. Its early concept centered on creating modern pieces inspired by travel while emphasizing four key attributes: beauty, comfort, practicality, and accessibility.[2]

The product that ultimately became Viajecito’s defining creation is the Splashkit™. Launched in June 2018, approximately two years after the company was established, it was conceptualized and developed by the product team in Manila.[1]

The Splashkit transformed the original travel-inspired concept into a distinctive product with recognizable characteristics:

• Geometric silicone body
• Splashproof construction
• Bright and varied colorways
• Replaceable straps
• Engraved side buttons
• Tarnish-resistant hardware
• Lightweight construction
• Easy-to-clean materials

The design was intended to bridge fashion and utility, functioning as a statement accessory while remaining practical for beaches, travel, rainy weather, and daily errands.[1] The current product ecosystem extends beyond the original Splashkit to include totes, straps, small organizers, beach products, and other accessories, with an emphasis on modularity and interchangeable components.[1]

Viajecito’s design philosophy revolves around the idea that practical products do not have to look utilitarian. The brand describes its objective as creating accessories that are “versatile, fuss-free, elevated yet approachable.”[1]

This approach produces a combination of functionality, color, travel inspiration, and personalization. Rather than treating a bag simply as a container, Viajecito approaches it as part of an outfit and a travel experience. Interchangeable straps are central to this philosophy, allowing customers to alter the appearance of the same bag. The website facilitates this by enabling customers to select a Splashkit body and strap separately to build their own combination.[5]

A distinguishing characteristic of Viajecito is its use of silicone rubber rather than conventional leather or fabric for the main Splashkit body. This material offers several functional advantages:

• Resistance to splashes and water
• Easy cleaning
• Durability
• Lightweight handling
• Suitability for beach and outdoor environments

The brand also emphasizes its hardware and straps; hardware is described as tarnishproof, and nylon straps are removable and washable.[5]

Viajecito utilizes a global supply chain with Filipino design and brand identity. Founder Pia Garcia-Morera has noted that nylon straps, bag bodies, zippers, and buttons are sourced from different parts of the world before being assembled in the Philippines.[6]

Travel is fundamental to Viajecito’s identity. The name reflects the concept of a small or personal journey, and the founders have described the brand as inspired by their travels and discoveries. The original vision targeted the “fashionable traveler,” particularly those interested in short trips, weekends, and experiences rather than conventional luxury.[7]

Consequently, the brand occupies a space between travel accessories, fashion accessories, beachwear, lifestyle products, and everyday bags. Its aesthetic is deliberately more playful than traditional luxury handbag brands, utilizing saturated colors, pastel shades, contrasting straps, and geometric forms.

Women-owned business

Viajecito identifies as a women-owned brand. Its Manila-based team works with manufacturing partners to develop colorful and distinctive products.[1] The founding story is collaborative; Pia and Marta are sisters-in-law, while Marta and Marla had been close friends since adolescence. The business initially operated across Madrid and Manila, with communication and planning conducted remotely.[4] This structure integrates travel, friendship, family, and entrepreneurship into the brand narrative.

Limited production and modularity

Viajecito produces colors and collections in limited quantities to avoid over-production and increase the value and longevity of individual purchases. Certain colors may be retired after a collection sells out.[1]

The company promotes extending the useful life of its products through modularity. Instead of replacing an entire Splashkit for a new look, customers can change the strap to refresh the existing bag. This supports product longevity within the business model.[1]

Viajecito appeals to consumers seeking fashion accessories that accommodate an active lifestyle. Its customer profile includes:

• Travelers and weekend travelers
• Beachgoers
• City commuters
• Fashion-conscious consumers
• Customers living in tropical or rainy climates
• People who prefer lightweight bags
• Consumers attracted to colorful or customizable accessories

The Philippine market is particularly relevant due to the country’s tropical climate, beaches, frequent rainfall, and strong travel culture. Viajecito has been described as being designed around Filipino realities ranging from city life and beaches to unpredictable weather.[6]

Viajecito sells directly through its Philippine online store and maintains a network of retail partners. It has also developed international storefronts, including dedicated sites for the U.S., Europe, and India.[1]

The brand is carried by established Philippine retailers. Rustan’s lists Viajecito products and describes the company as a Manila-based brand specializing in stylish, functional splashproof accessories.[8]

Viajecito is a contemporary Filipino lifestyle brand built around travel-inspired, functional fashion. Unlike traditional luxury handbag houses, its competitive proposition is summarized as: “Practical enough for adventure, stylish enough for everyday life.”

Key differentiators include:

1. Splashproof materials
2. Distinctive silicone construction
3. Bright, recognizable colors
4. Interchangeable accessories
5. Travel-oriented branding
6. Filipino design and entrepreneurship
7. International sourcing
8. Limited-edition colorways

This combination establishes a niche between conventional handbags and outdoor or travel gear.

While the Splashkit remains central, the current assortment includes multiple bag formats, interchangeable straps, totes, organizers, towels, and other lifestyle accessories.[1] The brand presentation increasingly emphasizes modularity and lifestyle, presenting an ecosystem where customers can combine bag bodies, straps, linings, and accessories according to personal style and destination.[5]

Viajecito demonstrates how a Filipino brand can transform an everyday functional problem—finding a durable bag for travel, beaches, and unpredictable weather—into a recognizable fashion identity. Its story is distinctly international: the original inspiration came from Spain, components are sourced globally, products are developed in Manila, and the online presence extends beyond the Philippines.[4]

Viajecito’s identity is simultaneously Filipino and global; its design responds to Philippine lifestyles while its inspirations, materials, and ambitions extend beyond the country.

1. About Us – Viajecito PH
2. Viajecito Inc. | LinkedIn
3. Online Shop Viajecito | Preview.ph
4. About Viajecito – Viajecito EU
5. Viajecito – Viajecito USA
6. Viajecito Founder Pia Garcia-Morera on Filipino Bag Design
7. Viajecito – Filipinan Market
8. Viajecito | Rustan’s