Amielynn Abellera and Sky Naval on Bringing Filipino Heritage to the Red Carpet

Marking the end of awards season, The Pitt’s Amielynn Abellera and stylist Sky Naval share the story behind her red carpet looks for the Season 2 premiere, the SAG Awards, and Elton John’s AIDS Foundation party.

This year’s awards season was unlike any other for Amielynn Abellera. The success of The Pitt with fellow Filipino actresses Isa Briones and Kristen Villanueva has put her directly in the spotlight, with critics praising her portrayal of Perlah Alawi, a Filipino Muslim nurse navigating the emotional and ethical demands of a Pittsburgh hospital.

On the red carpet, where entertainment meets fashion, Abellera collaborated with celebrity stylist Sky JT Naval to shape and curate her looks for her appearances in front of the cameras. “I feel so lucky to work with Sky Naval. His artistry is unique, daring, colorful, joyful, and conscious of each client’s vibe,” she shares. “So important to me is his deep passion to incorporate our Filipino heritage into each collaboration. Our creativity combined results in looks layered not only with my energy and spirit, but also our shared ancestry.”

Once an RSVP is confirmed, Sky and Abellera come together for a series of fittings and conversations. “Days before each event, Sky brings in approximately 12-15 pieces — each of which are appropriate to the event type (red carpet, after party, daytime, panel, etc.), and vary in style, energy, cultural elements, diverse fabrics, and colors,” she explains. “We try on each piece, and thoroughly discuss its fit, impression, brand, and vibe. After narrowing it down, I ultimately settle on the piece that inspires my most energetic, confident, and joyful self.”

For Naval, the goal is always “to make a statement,” weaving subtle cultural references into each look that resonate with Filipinos across the globe, one red carpet at a time

The Pitt Season Two Premiere

Amielynn Abellera: For the Pitt Season 2 Premiere, the beautiful red sequined gown was my first and favorite choice. Again, it is always important to me to have touches of my culture in the pieces I wear. This gown felt like a reimagination of the balabal, a Filipino cloak-like shawl, traditionally worn over the shoulders and upper body. Paired with ADIBA’s gold sampaguita earrings, the gown was effortless, regal, and a purposeful tribute to both Sky’s and my Filipino identity.

Sky JT Naval: In a molten red sequined gown, Abellera channels the architectural drama historically associated with the terno, the Philippines’ national dress known for its sculptural lines and commanding presence. Rather than literal butterfly sleeves, the design leans into drapery as structure. The high halter neckline cascades into soft folds across the torso, creating a fluid silhouette that mirrors the elegance of traditional Filipino formalwear while distilling it into a modern form.

The color, a deep luminous red, recalls the vibrancy of Filipino fiestas and ceremonial textiles, where bold hues symbolize celebration and resilience. Paired with delicate gold earrings resembling the sampaguita and barely-there heels, the look feels effortless yet regal. It is a study in restraint, dramatic yet never overpowering.

SAG Awards

Amielynn Abellera: For the Actor Awards, I immediately fell in love with the Vaishali Couture gown, which we all lovingly agreed to call the “Angry Flower”. I love florals, as my daughter’s name is Sampaguita (the national flower of the Philippines). The gown’s color varied beautifully in different lighting and emitted varied shades of dark pink, red, and black. It exuded a bold, enigmatic energy, while still radiating a feminine playfulness. The gown also felt like an homage to the malong, a traditional hand-woven garment worn by men and women in Mindanao. I felt emboldened and so proud to wear a gown that not only carried strength and grace, but also radiated my heritage and ancestry.

Sky JT Naval: The most striking look is a deep burgundy gown worn to the Actor Awards by Vaishali Couture, paired with Burkinabaé earrings and a Rafe New York clutch, defined by its sculptural centerpiece, a circular detail that radiates pleated fabric outward like both a Philippine sunburst and a flower. The effect feels almost ceremonial, echoing the ornate craftsmanship seen in Filipino textiles and woven patterns.

The gown’s rich color palette, somewhere between ube, wine, and lacquered mahogany, evokes the earthy tones found in indigenous Filipino fabrics and ceremonial attire. A dramatic thigh-high slit and fluid train ground the look firmly in contemporary red carpet territory, while the intricate structure at the waist becomes a symbolic focal point, reminiscent of traditional handwoven artistry.

It is bold, sculptural, and unapologetically modern, yet its spirit remains deeply tied to cultural storytelling.

Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Party

Amielynn Abellera: I was thrilled to wear this look, which Sky designed (as always) with precision and purposeful detail. The gown was beautifully embellished with several layers – a sequined champagne colored layer, subtly sheer like the handwoven piña fabric of our traditional barong. I particularly loved the brilliant net-like bodice, which shimmered and flowed down the length of my body before stretching beautifully (and chaotically) towards the ground. The golden clutch and jewelry were a perfect touch, accentuating the gown simply yet effectively. It felt powerfully regal, with Filipino-like adornments throughout, and perfect for the EJAF Academy Awards Viewing Party.”

Sky JT Naval: The strapless gown, designed by Do Long, is sculpted with precision, hugging the body before cascading into a dramatic mermaid flare, its surface alive with intricate lattice beading that glimmers with every movement. The structure evokes the meticulous craftsmanship long celebrated in Filipino design traditions, where detail, patience, and handwork transform fabric into something almost architectural. Each intersecting line of beadwork forms a delicate grid, reminiscent of woven textures seen in traditional Filipino textiles such as piña and jusi.

Rendered entirely in gold, the gown carries deeper cultural resonance. In Filipino culture, gold has long symbolized prosperity, celebration, and heritage. The shimmering sequins that trail into a soft, luminous hem mirror the glow of sunlight across Philippine shores, while the structured bodice crowned with delicate crystal accents feels regal, like a contemporary interpretation of a Filipina queen’s armor.

Paired with a matching gold clutch and understated earrings, the look embraces restraint while allowing the dress itself to speak in a language of light. It is both glamorous and grounded, an elegant fusion of contemporary eveningwear and the cultural pride woven through Filipino identity.