Cover An essential part of Techie Hagedorn's entertaining is a thoughtfully-crafted tablescape, perfectly tailored to any occasion
An essential part of Techie Hagedorn's entertaining is a thoughtfully-crafted tablescape, perfectly tailored to any occasion
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Naturally decorated tables are a distinctive feature of Techie Hagedorn’s tablescapes and success in entertaining. Artisan-made products feature heavily, and she discusses why the pieces are special to her
Entertaining comes naturally for Techie Hagedorn, proprietor of Alegre, a Manila-based clothing brand. The poised, relaxed style of Alegre reflects very much in Hagedorn’s tablescape style. When hosting friends and family, she is able to incorporate elements of nature in her tablescape, the same way she does in her brand.
The dining table has long been a central space in Hagedorn’s life. In her home filled with siblings and friends, meals were never just about food—they were moments of connection, warmth and joyful noise. That energy continues to shape the way she entertains today. Her tablescapes, much like her fashion brand Alegre, exude a relaxed, effortless elegance grounded in nature and memory.
This thoughtful approach extends to what she brings to the table. For Hagedorn, using locally made pieces is not only a matter of style, but a conscious choice that reflects her commitment to sustainability. Supporting small producers and craftspeople has always been a guiding principle, one that’s woven into Alegre’s ethos and is just as present in her home. She sees local products as both beautiful and practical, emphasising that the Philippines offers a wealth of handcrafted goods that are rich in quality and character.
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Above Techie Hagedorn at home in Alegre clothing
Techie Hagedorn at home in Alegre clothing
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By sourcing her tableware from bazaars and trade fairs—from placemats, coasters, napkin rings to hand-carved chargers—Hagedorn champions a kind of everyday luxury rooted in community, craft and sustainability. Often made from natural materials and produced in small batches, these pieces carry a lighter environmental footprint than mass-market imports. It’s also a chance to celebrate the country’s artisans, many of whom rely on generations-old techniques passed down through families and regions.
The environmental benefits are only one part of the story. It’s undeniable that there’s something subtly profound and meaningful about a table assembled with pieces that carry history. Hagedorn often mixes heirloom silverware from her late mother-in-law with napkins sewn from leftover fabric, or glassware collected from a decades-old bazaar. She finds charm in the interplay between old and new, refined and rustic—proof that sustainability doesn’t have to sacrifice elegance. “Combining heirloom pieces with flea market finds adds a unique character to the table,” she says, noting that it’s often the unexpected pairings that become the most valuable.
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Above Bud vases sprinkled on the table add a gentle sophistication to the tablescape by Techie Hagedorn
Above Exploring a tablescape by Techie Hagedorn with cutlery, soup bowls and glasses by Casa Collective
Bud vases sprinkled on the table add a gentle sophistication to the tablescape by Techie Hagedorn
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Nature, too, plays a vital role in her tablescapes. Whether hosting under a roof or beneath the clear skies, she instinctively incorporates natural elements that reflect the seasons to lend a relaxed, organic beauty to the setting. A garden lunch might feature banana leaves as chargers, or fruit arranged as a centrepiece in lieu of flowers. “When we’re out of town, I tend to lean into more earthy materials,” she explains, describing tables made warmer with the addition of wooden coasters, coral salad plates, or woven napkin rings.
That organic, playful energy infuses every setting Hagedorn creates. She has long abandoned the idea that everything on a table must coordinate, finding joy instead in the process of blending textures, tones and materials. For her, designing a tablescape isn’t about following a formula—it’s an outlet for creativity. “The best results,” she says, “often come from improvisation.” For a recent summer table, she had been searching for the right floral arrangement when a friend, travelling the next day, offered her a large bouquet she couldn’t take with her.
It felt perfectly timed, a gesture that reminded her of why she loves hosting in the first place. More than anything, it gives her great enjoyment, sharing that each stage of the tablescaping process has its gratification–from deciding on the menu, to picking the plates, glasses, cutlery, serving dishes, table cloth, flowers, and so on, then mixing and matching and moving things around.
Above A green bowl contrasts with the colours and elements on the table
A green bowl contrasts with the colours and elements on the table
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Above Decanters and wine holders from Mentxaca in Techie Hagedorn's home
Above A bar vignette of drinks served at the Hagedorn home
Decanters and wine holders from Mentxaca in Techie Hagedorn's home
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Beyond the visual, there’s also an emotional aspect to Hagedorn’s approach. She believes in celebrating everyday moments with the same care one might reserve for special occasions. This belief, instilled by her mother, encouraged her to use her most treasured pieces not just for guests but for family dinners, informal brunches and impromptu get-togethers. “There is nothing more special than when loved ones gather for a meal,” she says, echoing a perspective that sees beauty not as something to be saved, but shared.
Tablescapes can be more than just decorative—they’re declarations of values: support for local industry, care for the environment, a reverence for nature, and above all, love for the people who sit around her table. In a world where sustainability is often equated with sacrifice, Hagedorn offers an alternative vision: one where living consciously can also be joyful, layered and utterly charming. Perhaps there is a new learning to be had: that there are no rules in making a table look beautiful. It’s seeing what works for you and your guests, and in the end, it’s about having fun, enjoying the process.
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Photography: Kryss Rubio
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