Vogue Threads Paris: From the Philippine Archipelago to the World

“To the collective million miles that we have all traveled to reach this point, and to the countless next million milestones that lie ahead.”

“I know that each one of us, gathered here tonight, has embarked on a similar journey,” says Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes, welcoming guests to the Palais Galliera, in Paris’ 16th arrondissement for Vogue Threads. “Not one marked by flight times, time zones or kilometers, but a far more profound and personal distance.”

That distance covered and our connected journeys are just some of the running themes of the evening, which marked the second anniversary of Vogue Philippines. “The thresholds we have all crossed are chronicled in daring choices that we have made,” Valdes continues, “in the personal leaps of faith we have jumped into, and in the intuitive belief that compels you to carve out your own path.”

The event was hosted in the historic Palais Galliera, during one of the busiest weeks in global fashion. Since 1977, the Palais, once called the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris [City of Paris Fashion Museum], has displayed objects belonging to French royalty, ensembles worn by Hollywood celebrities, and creations by Balenciaga, Dior, Givenchy, Balmain, Schiaparelli to name a few.

On a rainy evening last Wednesday, a special kind of exhibit was shown, featuring a series of 23 proudly Filipino names: Nazareno, Sarenas, Laurel, Caluza, Padilla, Bagasao, and more. The exhibit was curated by Gawad CCP awardee Gino Gonzales. The fashion designers’ works, in miniature, were placed on individually crafted wooden maquettes, carved by artisans from Palawan. Working on maquettes was a tool used by European couturiers before embarking on full-sized models. This show was a unique tribute to Philippine fashion, inspired by the craft and creativity of our archipelago.

Walking through the peristyle that surrounds the Palais’ courtyard, and examining each piece, you take in the breadth of the Filipino point-of-view. From guiding stars, traditional basket weaving, and glistening grains of rice to taklobo mollusks, the pages of our history, and our loving grandmothers, these works reflect the diversity of our islands. These are our people, these are our stories, in tactile form. With local materials as muse, this exhibition was a showcase from the Philippines to the world.

In various conversations throughout the evening, guests came together to share their thoughts and experiences with each other. It was a gathering of creative individuals from various disciplines in the fashion industry. Vogue Philippines aims to foster dialogues on creativity and community, and Vogue Threads was a reflection of this vision.

There was a moment when Rita Nazareno explained her design’s “raincoat” inspiration to Condé Nast global chief content officer Anna Wintour, who replied that we certainly needed one that night; London-based designer Robert Wun having spirited discussions with Filipino designers; Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena seated at a table with social media talent Jacob Rott and Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha. Vogue Philippines CEO and publisher Archie Carrasco was seen welcoming Business of Fashion’s Imran Amed. While Vogue Philippines fashion director Pam Quinones was conversing withVogue editors from Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. Hayden Kho was chatting with Milan Djacic, editor of Vogue Adria, and Vena Brykalin, editor of Vogue Ukraine.

“Tonight, we take this momentous step together, daring to imagine that every pioneering journey is a step in evolution,” Bea says, before inviting guests to raise a glass: “to the collective million miles we have traveled to reach this point, and to the countless next million milestones that lie ahead.”