Photographed by Kim Santos
Joey Samson
“Paraluman” (“Muse”)“This represents the pages of our history. That despite the tears and the snags, you understand where we came from and where we’re headed.”
“This represents the pages of our history. That despite the tears and the snags, you understand where we came from and where we’re headed.”
In creating his look, Joey Samson reflects on a childhood of religious processions, and a long, storied history of the Philippines.
Being a predominantly Catholic country, religion plays a large role in Philippine culture, especially when it comes to social traditions and events. It certainly was the case for a young Joey Samson, who recalls growing up with a mother, aunts, and grandmothers, who were very religious. “I grew up going to all those religious processions, especially Holy Week processions. So it’s one of those things that resonates with me a lot.”
Using piña, Joey employs the bookleaf technique that has figured in past works, including a skirt in Vogue’s September 2024 feature on the terno. In this particular context, he calls to mind the pages of Philippine history that “despite the tears and the snags, [makes] you understand where we came from and where we’re headed.”
“I thought of calling her Paraluman, or a muse, because she can represent either my mom, or our motherland, or any muse of mine, or a saint, or even my lola. Anyone. It doesn’t have to be a female figure… It’s somebody that I look up to that serves as my guiding light, and an inspiration as to why I do what I continue to, and continue loving it.”
On its second anniversary, Vogue Philippines invites homegrown and global creatives to Vogue Threads, an experience that weaves Philippine culture, creativity, and community into the world. Its inaugural edition celebrates Filipino artistry and heritage, through an exhibit featuring the works of designers from the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Photographed by Kim Santos. Art Director: Jann Pascua.
