The Philippines makes its first solo fashion exhibit in time with Milan Fashion Week with FASHIONPhilippines Milan

By September Grace Mahino

MILAN, ITALY—Eleven Filipino designers got to present their collections at Fondazione Sozzani as the culminating event for FASHIONPhilippines Milan, marking the first-ever solo exhibition of the Philippines in the fashion capital, in time for Milan Fashion Week. The three-day exhibit, which opened on Sept. 23, was a showcase of Filipino artistry and ingenuity, with the pieces’ contemporary cuts and silhouettes flaunting weaves, patterns, and materials that tell the story of the Southeast Asian country’s heritage. 

The participating designers are: 

• Adam Pereyra, who presented jewelry pieces made of sterling silver and yellow gold and featuring motifs inspired by nature and traditional Filipino culture; 
• Joseph Bagasao for Bagasáo, who created workwear separates;
• Theresa Nepomuceno for Calli, who showcased geometric and sculptural bags made of wood; 
• Jo Ann Bitagcol for Bitagcol, who reimagined Filipiñana classics in natural fabrics; 
• Carl Jan Cruz, whose colorways and details elevated wardrobe staples; 
• Christian Edward Dalogaog for Ched Studio, who used delicate embroidery and beading on natural fabrics; 
• Steffi Cua for Idyllic Summers, who presented womenswear items in linen, silk, and pineapple fabric; 
• Jerome Lorico for Lorico, who made expertly draped mix-and-match separates; 
• Renz Reyes, whose mostly denim collection presented a fresh take on formal wear; 
• Gabby Garcia for Tagpi, who used beading, cutouts, and patterns on menswear and womenswear pieces; 
• and Vania Romoff, whose feminine designs feature volume play and clever dressmaking techniques.

Fondazione Sozzani hosted the FASHIONPhilippines Milan exhibit from Sept. 23 - 25, which featured collections from 11 Filipino designers. In attendance are key figures and supporters from the organizers: (Left to right) CITEM Division Chief Anna Alzona, 10 Corso Como Founder Carla Sozzani, Fondazione Sozzani’s Sara Sozzani Maino, CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido-Ocampo, President of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana Carlo Capasa, Lit Fashion Consultancy’s Tetta Ortiz, and Philippine Fashion Coalition’s Carissa Cruz-Evangelista and Jackie Aquino.

In addition to the 15-piece collections presented by each designer, they also each introduced three new garments created using Filipino Innovation Textiles (FIT). These fabrics were made from sustainably sourced abaca, banana, pineapple, and bamboo fibers, developed under the expertise of the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI). 

Milan fashion industry personalities attended the exhibit, such as Carlo Capasa, the President of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italian and organizer of Milan Fashion Week, and Carla Biffi, owner of Biffi Boutiques. Also present were 10 Corso Como founder Carla Sozzani, Fondazione Sozzani Creative Director and FASHIONPhilippines Milan mentor Sara Sozzani Maino, and Riccardo Grassi, owner of RG showroom and also another FASHIONPhilippines Milan mentor.

FASHIONPhilippines Milan is a program that aims to showcase fresh Filipino talents in the global scene while providing them with firsthand learning opportunities under some of the most respected names in the Italian fashion industry. It is spearheaded by the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), and organized in collaboration with the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), LIT Consultancy, Fondazione Sozzani, and DOST-PTRI. 

Innovative fabrics and cutting-edge designs

The designers’ participation in FASHIONPhilippines Milan involved spending months refining their creative visions for their respective collections under the mentorship of fashion and design experts from Manila. Then, upon arriving in Milan on September 22, they had one-on-one sessions with some of Italy’s most respected fashion authorities to learn more about navigating the global fashion scene. 

Prior to the exhibition, the designers have one-on-one sessions learning about the various aspects of the international fashion career. From left: Joseph Bagasao with Sara Maino, Christian Edward Dalogaog with Riccardo Grassi, and Carl Jan Cruz with Niccolo Pasqualetti. 

Headed by Maino, each of the Milan cohort of mentors shared with the designers their expertise in specific areas of the fashion design industry. 

• Image Marketing by Sara Maino
• Merchandising by Riccardo Grassi
• Fashion Collection by stylist, fashion editor, and Condé Nast consultant Riccardo Terzo
• How to Build Your Brand by fashion designer Niccolo Pasqualetti
• Audience Engagement by Silvia Bertocchi, Fondazione Sozzani’s Head of Cultural Programs
• Building Visibility and Voice in the Global Fashion Landscape by fashion and digital creator Ryle Tuvierra
• Strategy for Global Retail by Le Bon Marché-Paris curator Helena Boissonnas
• Building a Strong Collection: the Power of Merchandising and Pricing from the POV of a Multi-brand Store Buyer by fashion buyer Giulia Demitri

The designers were all grateful for the opportunity to sit down with these experts and get insightful and specific advice on their respective brands. Describing the one-on-one sessions as creatively stimulating, Bitagcol acknowledged, “This entire experience opened my awareness to the global aspect of fashion.” Lorico found the lessons to be beneficial to both his brand and his design perspective, stating, “Riccardo Terzo helped me identify the weak points in my lookbook’s images and gave pointers for improvement [while] Silvia Bertucci taught me how to be mindful of the conversations carried on by my designs by identifying their [culturally] sensitive aspects.” “It was a lot of great ideas compressed into one day,” Romoff added. “They are very valuable for designers who are trying to get into the international market.”

To further promote the designers’ profiles and brands in the global market, the collections presented by the 11 designers for FASHIONPhilippines Milan will also have a dedicated setting in Manila FAME 2025. The Philippines’ premier international sourcing show for home, fashion, and lifestyle will be held on October 16 to 18 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. 

***

FASHIONPhilippines is the country’s banner in marketing local fashion enterprises internationally. With CITEM at the helm, the program has brought local brands to top international trade shows and exhibitions, including the Centrestage trade show in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific Textile Expo (APT Expo) in Singapore. 

FASHIONPhilippines in Milan is supported by LIT Fashion Consultancy and the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).

Learn more about FASHIONPhilippines Milan at https://fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan.

CITEM also invites you to the upcoming Manila FAME at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, Philippines, on October 16-18, 2025. To learn more, go to https://fameplus.com/manila_fame.


The Filipino designers, with members of the FASHIONPhilippines Milan team, the international mentors, President Carlo Capasa, and Carla Sozzani, at the opening of their exhibit on Sept. 22 at Fondazione Sozzani.