Bagasáo. Courtesy of FASHIONPhilippines Milan.
Filipino fashion takes a monumental step onto the global stage as twelve designers will be exhibiting at Fondazione Sozzani during Milan Fashion Week SS26.
This September, 12 Filipino designers will showcase their work at Fondazione Sozzani during Milan Fashion Week, marking a significant milestone for Philippine design. The event is part of the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program, a project by DTI-CITEM in collaboration with the Philippine Fashion Coalition, DOST-PTRI, and LIT Fashion Consultancy, aimed at elevating Filipino talent on the international stage. The finalists include designers like Joseph Bagasao, Jerome Lorico, and Vania Romoff, each presenting a 15-piece collection made from Filipino Innovation Textiles, materials derived from abaca, pineapple, and bamboo.
Currently, the designers are undergoing a two-phase mentorship program, beginning in Manila, where they are refining brand DNA and market positioning with guidance from industry leaders Pam Quiñones, Carmina Sanchez-Jacob, and Tetta Ortiz-Matera. The program continues in Milan under the direction of Sara Sozzani Maino and an eight-member expert panel. “Those four days will be intense,” Maino says. “The mentors’ guidance will be based on what we know about the designers’ profiles and what we believe they need.”
For many, the experience has reshaped their vision of what it means to design for a global audience. “It’s not just about clothes,” says Thian Rodriguez, known for his theatrical designs and industrial hardware. “It’s about telling a story of where we come from, our culture, our craft, and the communities we support.” His commitment to Manila’s shoemaking industry reflects this ethos: “At first, it was hard for them to adapt to making apparel, but we want to keep their skills alive. That’s part of our story.”
Renz Reyes shares a similar transformation. “As designers, we live in our own worlds. This mentorship opened my eyes to new perspectives, it’s like seeing my work through fresh lenses.” For Steffi Cua, the biggest shift comes from exposure to unfiltered critique. “You get honest feedback from people who have worked at the highest levels of fashion. It changes the way you see your brand, what needs strengthening, what needs refining.”
Beyond technical mastery, the program has become a space for reflection on purpose. “It feels like a mission,” says Vogue Philippines July-August 2025 cover star Jo Ann Bitagcol. “Not just for my brand, but for the entire country. We want to show that Filipino creativity belongs in the global conversation.” Jerome Lorico echoes this ambition, “after this project, I want to come out as a better brand and a better person, someone who can help shape what Philippine fashion looks like on the world stage.” Then, with quiet certainty, he adds, “we are destined for greatness. Filipinos are destined for greatness. So you better watch out.”
After Milan, the designers’ collections will also be showcased locally at Manila FAME 2025, running from October 16 to 18 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.
