Jayson “Jaggy” Glarino is one of eight finalists at The Sustasia Fashion Prize. Photo courtesy of Jaggy Glarino
Designer Jaggy Glarino is one of eight finalists in a new fashion competition searching for future talent in the diverse continent of Asia.
This year will be a demi-decade to remember with the legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand, The FIFA World Cup, Matthew Blazy’s debut at Chanel, and the introduction of The SUSTASIA FASHION PRIZE in Shanghai.
Competitions such as the historic International Woolmark Prize and the LVMH Prize have catapulted the careers of countless designers into the mainstream such as Karl Lagerfield, Marine Serre, and Nensi Dojaka. Exclusively to the East, there’s a new prize with the aim “to promote sustainable practices and accelerate innovation in the fashion industry in Asia” through a cash prize of 100,000 RMB and the support of high-end industry professionals.
Launched by the Shanghai Fashion Design Association (SFDA) and Shaway Yeh of sustainability agency yehyehyeh, the prize is open to designers between the ages of 18 and 40 with three years of experience in commercial fashion design.
Applicants were requested to demonstrate ways to reduce negative environmental impacts, such as “low-waste and circularity principles, enhancing transparency and traceability, considering the longevity and/or recyclability of the apparel and respecting people working within the supply chain.”
Eight designers were revealed to be the finalists from all over Asia after a three-month selection process, including a Philippine candidate in General Santos’ Jaggy Glarino. After being flown to Shanghai for the Shan Future Challenge workshop, he’s back in his atelier drafting up his final submission for the presentation, exhibition, and award ceremony during Shanghai Fashion Week.
While we wait to see his final design, Vogue Philippines asks Jaggy Glarino about his nomination and process for The Sustasia Fashion Prize in a Q&A below, and you can read his designer profile here.
How does it feel to be a finalist and represent the Philippines for the official launch of Sustasia Fashion Prize?
It’s incredibly exciting and humbling to be a finalist and to represent the Philippines. Conscious fashion is something I’m still exploring, but this opportunity has really fueled my curiosity and passion for viewing design through this perspective. Fashion’s impact on the world is a pressing issue, and it’s been inspiring to think about how creativity can address this responsibly. I’m eager to bring those ideas to life while celebrating Filipino artistry on this platform.
What was it like to be flown to China and meet your fellow finalists and the new-generation material suppliers at the Shan Future Challenge workshop? If possible, could you tell us what materials will you be using in your collection?
It was my first time in Shanghai, and I’d heard so much about the city, so I was really excited to dive into the culture, food, and energy. China’s such a powerhouse in fashion, especially with its impact on garment production, and it was amazing to see how the conversation around sustainability and conscious fashion is shaping up there. I felt like a kid in a candy store exploring all the new sustainable materials.
I’m also working closely with the Philippine Textile Research Institute to figure out how we can bring Filipino textile innovations into the global fashion scene. We’re still fine-tuning our entry for Sustasia, experimenting with materials right now. But the final piece will definitely carry a Filipino soul, reflecting my roots and identity.
You were discovered through our Vogue Threads exhibition last year. How did this translate into being considered as an applicant for the competition?
It all happened quite unexpectedly, to be honest. I wasn’t planning on applying, but after the Vogue Threads exhibition, there was a lot of interest in my work—especially after the Paris showcase. A publicist I’d worked with a few years ago during an exhibition at London Fashion Week ended up vouching for me. From there, the Sustasia team became more curious about how I champion Filipino culture through a contemporary design lens. It’s been such an honor to have people resonate with my work and see its potential on a larger platform.
Slow fashion possesses a vital role in the ethos of the prize, how have you implemented this in your designs and business model?
Being considered for the Prize carries a profound sense of responsibility—not just as a Filipino designer, but as a brand committed to embodying sustainability and conscious practices in a meaningful way. Consistency in this pursuit has been a real challenge, and I’ll admit it has, at times, brought feelings of doubt and insecurity. As someone still navigating the complexities of sustainability, I often felt I hadn’t achieved enough to truly make an impact.
However, this perspective shifted when I reframed the journey as an opportunity to grow rather than a benchmark to reach. I approached the Prize with passion and curiosity, eager to deepen my understanding of sustainability and explore how it can become the foundation of my brand’s ethos and DNA. What began as a response to material scarcity during the pandemic has evolved into a deliberate mission—a drive to integrate conscious decision-making into every facet of my practice.
When it comes to slow fashion, I’ve learned that sustainability extends far beyond material choices. It encompasses quality craftsmanship for longevity, designs with versatility, and a commitment to creating positive community impact. I approach sustainability as a multifaceted challenge, addressing it through intentional, incremental efforts. Viewing it this way demystifies the process, making it less daunting and more empowering—not only for myself but for other creatives who wish to contribute to the solution. By embracing sustainability as an evolving journey rather than an end goal, I hope to inspire more designers to adopt a mindset of conscious creativity.
Is there any chance you can share a sneak preview? What can we expect from you in March at the final presentation and exhibition at Shanghai Fashion Week?
As much as I’d love to share my thought process this early, I feel the piece is still in such an evolving stage that it’s hard to pin down what it will ultimately become. There’s still so much to refine and discover in the coming months. What I can say is that I’m aiming to give a contemporary spin to my Filipino roots, infusing the piece with something deeply personal and inspired.
That’s also what excites me about working with new materials—the magic really happens as I interact with the fabrics. Each step of the process reveals something new, and it’s through this interaction that the design truly comes to life. I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me and what story the final piece will tell.
