About Us
Barong & Formal first opened its doors in Southern California in 1998 by our owner Raquel. After serving Southern California for 5 years, we relocated to the Bay Area community of Vallejo in 2003. We grew rapidly and opened store fronts in Las Vegas, Nevada and San Diego, California. While we enjoyed serving more communities, Raquel saw a need to focus on our home base of Vallejo, California. Raquel has always loved to help customers find that perfect piece and you have probably been helped by her if you've ever shopped in our Vallejo store! Raquel is a Lola to 2 granddaughters, mom to 2 and has travelled to almost every continent!
We are thrilled to be bringing Barong & Formal online to continue to spread the awareness, culture and joy of the Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana. Raquel's daughter, Empee (nickname for Maria Preciosa) will be supporting the launch of our online shop and all things online. She is excited at the opportunity of bringing her mom’s designs to a bigger audience! Empee has been in retail, sales and marketing for almost 15 years, has an MBA and is excited to bringing her entrepreneurship mindset and past experience to grow her mother's legacy all while getting to create a bit of her own! She is a mommy to a sassy soon to be 3 year old and wifey to her college love. She loves to travel and enjoys live music!
For the past almost 25 years (wow!), we have enjoyed helping customers find the perfect way to incorporate the Filipino culture into their most memorable days. Whether it’s your wedding, a graduation, a milestone birthday or a celebration, or nowadays even a date night or day out, Barong Tagalogs and Filipiniana have always been a great way to showcase the Filipino experience.
We are thankful that you found us and are grateful to be a part of your special moments!
