Set in Baguio, Behind The Fashion of This Month's Cover

In this month’s cover story, color and texture capture the spirit of the creative capital Baguio.

There are over 350 Creative Cities, a network founded in 2004 by UNESCO, to “foster international cooperation within and across cities worldwide” that use creativity as a strategic factor in urban development. In the Philippines, there are three cities with this prestigious pedigree: Iloilo for Gastronomy, Cebu for Design, and Baguio for Crafts and Folk Art.

Situated in the misty mountains of Northern Luzon, Baguio City is a colorful, effervescent metropolitan famed for its artistic culture, such as weaving, woodcarving, silver craft, and tattooing. For its February 2025 issue, Vogue Philippines traveled to the Cordillera region to shoot the main fashion editorial.

According to RAJO LAUREL, his Ugnayan silk dress is “essentially inspired by the rope-making techniques of the local fishermen in my mother’s hometown of Zamboanganita, Negros Oriental.” Photographed by Borgy Angeles for the February 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines

“More kinetic energy like colors and textures,” Vogue Philippines fashion editor David Milan explained the direction, referring to the bright fabrics and crafts of the province. It took two months of preparation, from ideation and creating mood boards to sourcing garments from local designers and international brands, honoring Filipino designers such as Martin Bautista, Dennis Lustico, Lawrenbert, Ursuaser Oliveros, and Ino Caluza.

Fashion associate Neil de Guzman said models Lake Cabrias and Fofai were selected from the Vogue Threads Manila Casting Call, sharing that Fofai is “a teacher from the Kalinga region who speaks Ilocano” who took a 16-hour bus ride to get to the location. In the shoot, she wore an archival Rajo Laurel rope dress in a kaleidoscope of blazing shades, titled ”Ugnayan” and inspired by habitual fishermen knots.

It’s all in the head. NAZARENO/LICHAUCO x ZACARIAS 1925 Candy lamps are worn as hats, to top off a multi-panel SIRIUS DAN coat and R/STUDIOS trousers.
Photographed by Borgy Angeles for the February 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines

“The lingling-o is a typical earring of the Cordillera region,” says designer NATALYA LAGDAMEO. Symbolizing fertility, a pendant can be worn on its own or in a strand of multiples; in the case of the latter, the necklace is referred to as balituk or uway, which Lagdameo describes as “an important piece of adornment that was worn on special occasions.” Photographed by Borgy Angeles for the February 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines

Photographed by Borgy Angeles, all of the images were captured in a day around the cityscapes and bucolic lands of the Cordilleras, sacred terra firma steeped in ancient tradition and superstition. Sirius Dan, an artist and writer renowned for his brash Memphis design-like furniture, custom-made coats exclusively for this main fashion story, paying homage to the Ikat weavers.

Crafted in Iloilo, Jor-El Espina skirts made of Hablon (a handloom textile of abaca, piña, and cotton) were worn as dresses, complimented by wicker and recycled plastic lampshades by Nazareno/Lichauco x Zacarias 1925. To accompany the clothes, artisanal jewelry was crucial in respect to cultural identity. The bangles made from Kamagong wood, which is associated with strength, resilience, and beauty, were designed by the Siargao-born brand Golden Monstera. The ‘lingling-o’ motif that adorned the ears and neck, symbolizing fertility in iterations by jewelry designer Natalya Lagdameo, was crafted in brass and plated in 22K gold.

This coat by SIRIUS DAN was inspired by the handwoven fabrics from Buhi, Bicol, and is handpainted on the lapels. It is worn here with R/STUDIOS trousers, crafted with silk wool from leftover off-cuts from bigger clothing companies. Photographed by Borgy Angeles for the February 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines

Haring’s hammered corset highlighted the power of the female body, worn upon an unbleached raffia set, imitating chainmail underneath a heroic cuirass of ancient civilizations. After marketplace, the best luxury featured in every photograph was long and lustrous jet-black hair, accentuating natural beauty and rooted in the history of the Philippines.