Our Story

The Dress That Sparked an Idea

Jas got invited to an event, she knew she needed the perfect dress. The only problem? Her budget.
“I can’t buy something new just to wear it once,” she said to herself one evening, scrolling through overpriced online stores.
Skeptical but intrigued, Jas browsed a website. To her surprise, she found a sleek gold gown that felt just right. She booked it for the weekend, had it delivered to her house, and when she tried it on—magic. It fit like a dream.
The night of the event, compliments came nonstop. “Where did you get your dress?” “That color is amazing on you!”
With every question, she felt a flicker of pride. “It’s rented,” she said simply.
But something shifted that night. As she watched dozens of girls in expensive, one-time outfits and overheard friends complaining about spending too much on a dress they’d never wear again, a thought began to form.

September 2023

The Closet Conversation That Started It All

One evening, as the two sisters sat sipping tea, Jas couldn’t stop smiling.
“Guess what?” she said excitedly to her older sister, Joey.
Joey raised an eyebrow, curious. “What’s up?”
“So, last weekend I rented this stunning gown for my friend’s event. It was perfect — fit like a glove, and I only paid a fraction of what it would cost to buy. Everyone kept asking me where I got it!”
Joey smiled, “Sounds like you had a great time.”
“I did! But here’s the thing — it got me thinking,” Jas continued. “Why don’t more people rent dresses? Especially people like you.”
Joey looked puzzled. “Me? Why?”
“Well, you have so many gowns and dresses that just sit in your closet,” Jas said, nodding toward the room where Joey's collection hung untouched. “Some you’ve only worn once or twice. Party season is coming up, and I bet lots of girls would love to rent those instead of buying new ones.”
Joey chuckled, “That’s true. But I never thought of it as a business.”
Jas' eyes lit up. “Exactly! You could start a rental shop with your dresses. You’d make money, help others look fabulous, and clear some space too.”
Joey leaned back, considering. “That actually sounds pretty smart.”
“And it’s not just about the money,” Jas added. “It’s sustainable fashion. Sharing and reusing beautiful clothes instead of letting them gather dust.”
Joey smiled wider. “Okay, I’m listening. How do we start?”

October 2023

A Studio Between Sisters

Joey sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping through fabric swatches for her upcoming wedding. Her younger sister, Jas, peeked over her shoulder.
“You’ve got great taste,” Jas said. “But weddings are not cheap.”
Joey groaned. “Tell me about it. Between the venue, catering, and this dress—my savings are basically gone. No way I can start that rental shop we’ve talked about. At least not in a real storefront.”
Jas was quiet for a moment, then looked around their house — specifically at the small spare room by the stairs, once a storage space, now mostly empty.
“What if we don’t need a storefront?” she said slowly.
Joey looked up. “What do you mean?”
“We start small, work with what we have, and grow from there. Once the wedding’s done and you’ve got more breathing room, we can think bigger.”
Later that week, the spare room was transformed. A rug, a ring light, a few wall hooks, and a full-length mirror turned it into something special. They posted the first few gowns on Instagram under a name they brainstormed over coffee — Something Borrowed Mnl.
Appointments trickled in, then turned into word-of-mouth buzz. One dress led to another. And though it wasn’t a storefront on a residential street, it was something even better: a dream planted in familiar soil, nurtured by two sisters with creativity, purpose, and trust.
In a season of spending, they chose to build.

November 2023

Cocktails, Minis & Culture: A New Kind of Rental Closet

Joey had always imagined a simple, elegant — modern, intimate, and uniquely hers. She didn’t want a dramatic ball gown or a long cathedral train for her pre nuptial photos. She just wanted a chic white mini dress: classy, effortless, and a little playful.
But as she scrolled through endless online stores and visited boutique after boutique, frustration began to sink in.
“Why is it so hard to find something simple?” she vented to her younger sister, Jas. “Everything’s so... extra. Or it looks like I’m going to a prom.”
Jas, always the observer, replied, “You’re right. Rental shops only seem to have pageant gowns or evening dresses. What about brides who want something modern — or just different?”
That single thought sparked a deeper realization in Joey.
If she couldn’t find a white mini dress for her own wedding, how many other women were feeling the same way?
She started thinking about all the women who weren’t looking for red carpets or pageants — but instead needed chic cocktail dresses, minimalist bridal pieces, or something with a cultural twist, like a modern Filipiniana.
And what started with a missing white mini became a boutique rental experience for modern Filipinas: one that blended style, culture, and simplicity, in a way no other shop was doing.
Because sometimes, the best ideas come not from what you find — but from what’s missing.

December 2023

A New Chapter: Introducing Our Rebrand and Online Home

What started as a small idea between two sisters has grown into a brand that celebrates confidence, creativity, and conscious style.
When Joey created this clothing rental shop, it was with her younger sister, Jas, in mind. Jas had always had an eye for fashion—effortlessly putting together outfits that turned heads without saying a word. Joey saw that gift and wanted to build something that would let her shine.
They launched the shop under the name Something Borrowed MNL, offering high-quality rental pieces for events, shoots, and everyday statement moments. Clients loved the clothes, raved about the experience, and kept coming back. But something curious kept happening: even though they were thrilled with their looks, very few people tagged the business on social media.
After a lot of reflection (and a few late-night coffee-fueled brainstorms), the sisters realized it might be the name. Something Borrowed MNL didn’t fully capture what the brand had become—or how clients saw themselves in the pieces. The word “borrowed” made people feel like they had to hide the fact they hadn’t bought it themselves.
So they rebranded. Bold. Personal.
Studio Vinni was born—named after the sister who inspired it all.
Today, Studio Vinni is more than just a clothing rental shop. It’s a space for women to step into their best-dressed selves without the pressure of owning it all. Whether you’re dressing up for a big event or curating your everyday style, we believe fashion should be fun, sustainable, and true to you.