Soft Shades and Strong Stories: Inside Vianka’s Minimalist World of Beige Sample

Written by Prim Roongruangyot

I was at the airport when I met Vianka quite literally. Boarding calls echoed in the background, my earbuds kept disconnecting, and she patiently laughed through the chaos. Even through a glitchy video call, there was this immediate calm about her, the same serenity that runs through her brand, Beige Sample.

Vianka Larena, founder of Beige Sample, is a Filipino designer, mother of one, model, and photographer, a true creative who seems to do it all.

Beige Sample is the kind of label that doesn’t need to shout. It’s made of neutral palettes, soft fabrics, and pieces that move like they were designed for slow mornings and long walks by the sea. “I wanted to create something that felt honest,” Vianka told me. “Something people could wear and just be themselves in.”

The Beauty of Subtle Things

Scrolling through Beige Sample’s Instagram feels like exhaling. The tones are earthy, the silhouettes effortless, and the light always seems golden. It’s minimalism, yes but with warmth. It wasn’t a coincidence that the feeds look and feel that way.

“I love structure, but it has to feel natural,” Vianka said. “I design for balance not perfection.”

Vianka explained the meaning behind her brand’s name, Beige Sample. “Beige represents calmness, and Sample is how I view us as people,” she said. To her, every individual is a small piece of a larger picture, a sample of the world’s beauty and diversity.

And that’s exactly what her work embodies: clean shapes that feel lived-in, pieces that are timeless without trying too hard. In a world where trends change every five minutes, Beige Sample lingers, both in your mind and heart. 

Beginning of a Journey

When Vianka talked about her path, it was clear her story wasn’t a straight line, but it was entirely her own. Fashion had always been her first love, but life had other plans. After becoming a teen mom, she shifted gears, building a career in the automobile industry where she worked as a sales manager for over a decade.

Now, with her daughter in her teens, Vianka felt it was finally time to circle back to the dream she’d pressed pause on. “I’ve always loved fashion,” she said. “But this chapter felt like the right moment to start again with more clarity, more purpose, and a little more courage.”

Rooted in Heritage

Vianka’s Filipino heritage quietly shapes her creative vision. “Filipino craftsmanship is all about patience and detail,” she explained. “Even if I’m not using traditional fabrics right now, that mindset of care and intentionality is always there.”

There’s an emotional texture to her designs, an echo of memory, family, and handmade artistry. She dreams of one day weaving more of her culture into her work. “I want to honor where I come from in a way that feels natural, not performative.” Therefore, she is taking more time to study it and take care of the rich culture.

Life in LA

Now based in Los Angeles, Vianka finds inspiration in the city’s rhythm, part creative chaos, part gentle calm. “LA makes you want to explore,” she said. “Everyone here is doing something different. It pushes you to find your own voice.”

Between design days and market hunts, she keeps grounded through movement. “People always ask about my workout routine,” she laughed. “Honestly, it’s less about fitness and more about mental clarity. I design better when I feel good.”

A Brand Built on Connection

What struck me most about Vianka was how personal everything felt. Beige Sample isn’t built to impress, it’s built to connect. “I want my pieces to feel like home,” she said. “Like something familiar, something you want to reach for every day.”

And that’s exactly what her brand does. It’s minimalism with emotion, quiet, graceful, and deeply human.

You can follow Vianka’s journey on Instagram at @beigesample, where every post feels like sunlight filtered through linen, proof that simplicity can speak volumes.