SENPAI AND KOHAI

Senpai + Kohai is designed by Melissa Choi and Pia Panaligan. It was a dream shared between the two of them when they met in college in 2003, which they hoped to bring to life one day. After many years spent working in the corporate world as designers, stylists and sales girls, they both decided it was the perfect time as they had reached a milestone in their career lives. Melissa was living and designing in India for UO Inc., while Pia was freelancing as a stylist for a few big named clothing brands. They kept in touch during Melissa’s time in Asia and discussed starting a line together. She sent back pictures and started to collect textiles and fabric. They spent a good three months to produce the first Senpai+Kohai collection in time to launch for holiday of 2012 and came out with twelve one-of-a-kind Indian textile inspired pieces, which were individually handcrafted at home.