Beyond the Runway: Fashion Week Asia’s The Re-See

Industry insiders get an up-close look at collections from 10 Asian labels at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts.

With a unique opportunity to trade the static seated eye for a more dynamic walk-around experience, designers and viewers alike mingled to the backdrop of silk shirts and canvas jackets. At the basement of the Marriott, Fashion WeekFashion WeekA series of seasonal events where designers debut their latest collections, setting the tone for upcoming fashion trends and showcasing creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation across the global fashion industry.Go to Fashion Week Glossary Asia’s The Re-see saw collections from brands Plazä, Duc Studio, Bajuyo, Toton, Kilomet109, Maligaya Clothing Co., Novèl, Wisharawish, Rosanna Ocampo and Ponder.er line racks and clothe mannequins to a symphony of footsteps from audiences taking a closer look at the garments.

Alex Po of Ponder.er spoke to the joy of audience proximity at The Re-See: “Cracked fabrics is one of our signatures, so then, when people look in close, you can see the color variation. […] You see different things when the model is wearing it. We want people to play around here.”

Fashion personality and actress Anne Curtis, while looking at the Ponder.er booth, talked about the importance of experiencing both exhibitions as a viewer: “That’s why you have to try things on all the time. [Clothes] can look beautiful as is, but [the resee] has to go hand-in-hand [with the runway.]”

Roko Arceo of Maligaya Clothing Co. also shared this sentiment, highlighting quality as a backbone of the brand. In encouraging goers to look through their intricate craftsmanship, from fabric manipulation to the clean finish of the linings of their jacket, Arceo noted that the event is an opportunity for Maligaya Clothing Co. to display its craftsmanship.

The dedication to such picturesque imagery begins not as the first thread is sewn, but with an idea that sparks into a flame. Its impact begins with the cultures it seeks to collaborate with and traditions it wishes to highlight. Ben Reich from Kilomet109 calls the brand “fashion from the ground up.” In empowering different communities from all over Vietnam, from growing fibers to weaving and even dyeing and treatment, they embody heritage on the world stage, hoping to inspire Filipino artists to do the same.

“A lot of the communities, the traditional craft communities here, [are] fantastic. […] They’re gonna need people who have a passion for what they do, who respect what they do, and who can take a more designer-approach to help elevate some of the craftsmanship that exists here.”

Anisah Farid of Pläza was grateful to strip back the flashiness of runways to share the intimate stories of her collection. She spoke with pride about the work of her women collaborators, who showed that craft thrives despite old age. Her brass lilies were forged in the home of a 54-year-old artisan, who painstakingly cut, whittled, and shaped the metal until it bloomed. While embroidery details on some of her button-downs were sewn by a 60-year-old embroiderer, who initially expressed trepidation about her work but was later empowered by Farid’s excitement: “[The clothes have] a soul within it. The person that made it gave everything they have to make that one piece.”

Fashion as a beacon of art, culture and expression deserves much longer than a quick fifteen minutes of fame. Farid puts it best: “All the pieces we bring in terms of heritage took months and months to make. So to see it for just five seconds doesn’t do it justice.” At Fashion WeekFashion WeekA series of seasonal events where designers debut their latest collections, setting the tone for upcoming fashion trends and showcasing creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation across the global fashion industry.Go to Fashion Week Glossary Asia’s The Re-see, undressing fashion to intimate conversations proved that Asian excellence is found not only through its impact in motion, but through its details standing still.