From Manila to Milan

In the continuing quest to open doors for Filipino talent in the international fashion scene, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), together with Tetta Ortiz-Matera of LIT Fashion Consultancy, join forces as they announce the launch of the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025.

Designed to educate, expose, and embolden Filipino designers and local brands, the ambitious and game-changing initiative features a three-day exhibition in Milan on September 23 to 25, presenting curated works by 10 chosen Filipino designers and fashion brands who qualify for the program. The exhibit will be held at the prestigious Fondazione Sozzani, established in 2016 by Carla Sozzani. Dedicated to promoting culture through photography, fashion, fine arts, and applied arts, the foundation curates and coordinates projects focused on education, responsibility, and the next generation of creatives.

The designers’ works will be presented in the same space that has seen exhibits by some of the world’s most iconic artists and designers like Yayoi Kusama, Maison Martin Margiela, Zandra Rhodes, and a host of legendary photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber, and Helmut Newton, just to name a few. To add to the excitement, this exhibit coincides with one of the world’s most important fashion events in the world, Milan Fashion Week S/S 2026.

Prior to the exhibition, the selected Filipino designers and brands are given the opportunity to undergo a series of up-close mentoring sessions with a highly distinguished seven-member panel featuring renowned industry leaders from various segments of the fashion business including education, creative direction, buying, marketing, and sales showroom management. The mentors will be hands-on in overseeing portfolio reviews, collection previews, and will be spending one-on-one time with each designer or brand to really go in-depth and provide a truly inspiring and empowering interaction.

Led by Fondazione Sozzani Creative Director and Milan Fashion Week International New Talent and Brand Ambassador Sara Sozzani-Maino, the illustrious lineup lending their industry insights and expertise include: Riccardo Grassi - RG Showroom Founder, Niccolo Pasqualetti - founder of his eponymous brand, Riccardo Terzo - international fashion stylist and consultant, Ryle Tuvierra - celebrated digital content creator, Giulia Demitri - women’s lifestyle & beauty buyer for Gaudenzi Boutique, and Helena Boissonnas - retail expert & buying consultant with Le Bon Marchè.

About this collaborative endeavor, Sozzani Maino shares, “Innovation thrives where creativity meets collaboration. Together with CITEM and the talented Filipino designers, we aim to shape a vision for education that fuses craft with purpose – transforming ideas into meaningful, lasting experiences.”

A Global Platform for Filipino Fashion

Championing Filipino talent and ingenuity, DTI Secretary Cris Roque expressed the program’s alignment with the country’s broader development goals. Roque shares, “The FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025 reflects our unwavering commitment to elevating and propelling Filipino design onto the global stage. Through this initiative, we are not only showcasing our country’s immense design talent but also broadening economic opportunities for our designers and local brands in the highly competitive international market.”

Similarly, CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido-Ocampo emphasized the importance of mentorship in cultivating and elevating Filipino talent. She muses, “This initiative is more than just an exhibition; it’s a strategic platform designed to help Filipino fashion designers and brands build relationships with international buyers and global industry gatekeepers. It’s about fostering long-term business growth and cultivating awareness of the Filipino aesthetic that’s worthy of global recognition.”

PFC Chairperson Carissa Cruz-Evangelista expressed overwhelming appreciation for the local and international support the project has been receiving. She notes, “We are happy that DTI, CITEM, Fondazione Sozzani, and our other collaborators have all shown enthusiasm and commitment to this endeavor. We are thankful for their unwavering support and confidence in our local talent and potential. By engaging with top-tier industry professionals and participating in major fashion events, our designers gain exposure, credibility, and access to opportunities that can define their careers, as well as hone the future direction of our Philippine design industry in our journey to carving our unique Filipino stamp in the international market.” Echoing the sentiment, Tetta Ortiz-Matera of LIT Fashion Consultancy, who helped organized and design the program imparts, “This is a rare and strategic chance for Filipino designers to not only showcase their works but to also become part of the global fashion conversation, with direct mentorship from experts who can help refine their vision and business strategies.”

Call for Applications: Qualifications and Requirements

From April 21 to June 14, 2025, aspiring designers can submit their applications through the official FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program website https://fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan.  In June 2025, the international jury will review and vet the entries, ensuring only the most promising talents are selected. The final list of chosen designers will be officially announced the same month.

Interested designers and brands must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a member of the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC)
• Must have a registered business in the Philippines for at least two years
• The designer must be a Filipino national
• Collections must be produced in the Philippines 
• Must have launched at least two collections in the past two years and be able to present a 15–20-piece collection during the Milan exhibition

Application Requirements:

• Brand profile and concept description
• Designer’s personal and professional details
• Proof of business registration and sustainability efforts
• Portfolio showcasing past and current collections
• Contact and distribution details

For more details on how to apply and access the application form, please visit https://fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan.

For updates and inquiries, follow CITEM on Facebook and Instagram and Philippine Fashion Coalition’s Facebook and Instagram pages.