Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno
Milka Quin
“Vessel,” 2024“Somehow, the image of them [the Ibaloi people] wearing a jacket over their native tapis stuck in my mind.”
“Somehow, the image of them [the Ibaloi people] wearing a jacket over their native tapis stuck in my mind.”
Milka Quin brings the Ibaloi’s traditional kayabang basket to Paris with her Vogue Threads piece “Vessel.”
Before entering fashion, Milka Quin had a career in banking but decided to pursue her passion by enrolling at Slim’s Fashion and Art School. She gained recognition on the show Project Runway Philippines for her approach to design, particularly her work inspired by the deconstruction of the hidden beauty of the banana plant, which became a key theme in her winning collection. One of the judges, Lesley Mobo, even suggested that she should showcase her work in Paris, which was a highlight of her experience on the show.
For Vogue Threads, Quin’s design is inspired by the kayabang, a traditional carrying basket woven and worn by Ibaloi women in Benguet, Philippines. This tall basket, made from rattan, features a square base and body with a round opening at the top. The basket is designed to be strapped to the back of the head, supported by a strap across the forehead, allowing the head rather than the shoulders to bear the weight.
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.
Photographer: Artu Nepomuceno. Art Director: Jann Pascua. Fashion Editor: David Milan. Production Designer: Riza Rosal. Producer: Anz Hizon, Bianca Zaragoza. Photography Assistants: Odan Juan, Lou Fajardo. Styling Assistants: KJ Villanueva, Miguel Rafael Timbol. Production Design Assistant: Christian Manlunas. PR Associate: Sophia Correa. Backdrop: Espacio Creativo Escolta.
