Lawyer and suits creative Nikki Agravante

Trial lawyer Nikki Agravante is often teased for heading into her “second shift” after coming home from work at her 9-to-5. That “second shift” is the long hours at night, on weekends, and early mornings, which she spends running her women’s suit and workwear brand, Alpha Brava, and balancing the many hats of a founder — creative, marketing, and operations.  

“I’m a lawyer by day and a creative at heart,” she said on the brand website. “For years, my career in the courtroom drove me on a constant search for suits that fit this bill. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to make it.”

The first collection launched on August 29 on alphabrava.com.

Alpha Brava ‘s minimalist suit sets, jackets, and dresses are tailored along simple lines and use earthy colors. The current fall collection focuses on rich blacks and browns. The brand’s price point reflects the luxe and quality of the fabrics, style, and construction in each piece.

Nikki, who is 35, said her brand  “aims to empower women.”

“It is dedicated to elevating women with suits and professional wear,” she said. “Our philosophy focuses on ease and simplicity, to make morning dress decisions easier and your closets more curated with forever staples. To wear wherever your talents, passions, and ambition take you.”

Immigrant Journey

A first-generation Filipino American, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1992 with her family from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, by way of Cebu. She was 4 years old then. She attended New York University for college and the University of California, Davis for law school. Her family is from Negros, but Nikki was born in Cebu, where her parents met and went to college.

“My mom studied physical therapy and Pops studied aeronautical engineering to become a pilot. Even though they were educated, jobs were scarce. So was money and even, sometimes, food. I grew up living with my parents, titas, titos, and extended family in a small house on Sikatuna Street (in Cebu City). We didn’t have much, but looking back at that time, I just remember feeling togetherness and love,” she shared her humble backstory with The FilAm.

Like all immigrants, her parents left behind everything that was familiar to them—their home, their family, their culture—for a chance at a better life.

“When I was 3, my mom left for the United States on an H1 visa to work as a physical therapist in Florida. She petitioned my dad and me, so we arrived here one year later. I didn’t know a word of English.”

Law and fashion

The practice of law runs in Nikki’s family. She’s a fourth-generation lawyer. Her grand-uncle is the late Justice Regalado Maambong, who was also former Commission on Elections  (Comelec) Commissioner  and one of the drafters of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. As for being creative? It’s something she’s born with as a Filipina.

“While I’ve been a trial lawyer since graduating law school, I’ve always been passionate about fashion,” she said.

She said the story of Alpha Brava  can highlight the importance of Filipino representation in the law, business, and entrepreneurship, especially for young women.

“As a lawyer and entrepreneur, I know there isn’t enough representation of Filipinos in law or business. It’s so important to highlight Filipino faces because it’s not only critical to increasing community and support for those currently in our industries, but it encourages and engages the future generation to enter them, too.”

For Nikki, perspective and gratitude are important values that drive her work. “I love what I do. I decided a long time ago—after taking on positions that felt less than fulfilling—that no matter where my career took me, the work would be meaningful and stand for something.”

That’s exactly how she feels about her legal career in public service and as a creator developing a brand that cheers ambitious women, helping them feel confident and ready to take on the day.  — Cristina DC Pastor