Meet eight emerging Filipino designers poised and ready to make their mark.

PHOTOGRAPHY Lee Morale
CREATIVE DIRECTION AND STYLING Yanna Lopez

Joshua Chiong

Joshua Chiong&rsquo;s journey as a fashion designer began long before his formal education in Fashion Design and Merchandising. From his earliest years, he found solace in sketching imaginative designs that filled the margins of his notebooks. Yet it was in college that Chiong&rsquo;s vision truly crystallized&mdash;evolving into the bold, fearless brand&mdash;JOSHUA CHIONG. His design philosophy embraces &ldquo;escapism through the feminine fantasy,&rdquo; drawing deeply from the beauty of nature and the surreal. Chiong transforms overlooked materials like provincial curtains into breathtaking art pieces by combining vibrant colors, intricate textures, and daring silhouettes.

Gil Justin Salazar

Gil Justin Salazar, the designer behind his eponymous brand, discovered his passion for design at a young age. Gil&rsquo;s creations reflect his philosophy of turning discarded materials into glamorous, sustainable art, exemplified by his signature fabric made from upcycled retaso and different kinds of plastic. His designs don&rsquo;t only aim for sustainability but also embrace femininity, often featuring delicate ruffles and pleats. Crafted for the strong, gentle, and feminine&mdash;qualities inspired by his beloved mother&mdash;Gil&rsquo;s work is a testament to his commitment to pushing boundaries.

Montecalvo

Montecalvo, launched MNTCLV at the height of the pandemic, turns fabric scraps and woven rags into striking fashion statements. As the son of a rug maker, his journey into design was deeply personal&mdash;he witnessed the decline of his community&rsquo;s rug-making industry, whichh ignited his commitment to upcycling and sustainability. Driven by this design philosophy, he focuses on transforming unconventional materials into textured pieces that challenge fashion norms.

Nicolo Perez

Nicolo Perez, the designer behind nicolò, turned his interest in fashion into a compelling brand after completing his degree in 2019. Nicolo&rsquo;s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that clothing should make its wearer feel exceptional, a principle reflected in his meticulous attention to materials, finishing, and details. Known for using translucency, vibrant colors, intricate appliqués, zigzag stitching, and organic shapes, Nicolo embraces edecticism that is ever-evolving.

Thea Balume

Thea Balume, the designer behind her namesake brand, is igniting a fashion revolution with her fearless celebration of imperfection. With a keen eye for thrifting and a commitment to sustainability, she breathes new life into upcycled fabrics, transforming discarded garments into striking fashion statements. Inspired by the anti-fashion movement, each piece is a bespoke narrative, crafted with hand-stitched details, raw edges, and deconstructed silhouettes that defy conventional beauty.

Eesyll

As a child, founder Yabee watched her nona (grandmother) sew, sparking her passion for design and fashion. &ldquo;From an early age, I declared my ambition to be a fashion designer... At nine, I created my first &lsquo;official&rsquo; design,&rdquo; she shares. A key theme in Yabee&rsquo;s designs and aesthetic is contrast. &ldquo;While I am often perceived as delicate and dainty, my work reveals a more chaotic, androgynous, and intense side of myself. This contrast is clearly evident in designs that disrupt order by challenging norms.

Nicole Phillipe

Founder Nicole Paril has always loved fashion. This childhood passion fueled the creation of her brand, Nicole Phillipe, partially named in honor of her late grandfather. Her designs bring a sense of nostalgia, but add a twist of modernity in every piece. Case in point, she draws inspiration from Art Deco and translates them into contemporary cuts and shapes. Rooted in artful storytelling that goes beyond functionality, Nicole&rsquo;s aesthetic caters to those who value simplicity, versatility, and heritage.

Having immersed herself in various art forms such as dance, music, street culture, and visual arts, it&rsquo;s no surprise that KAIO&rsquo;s founder, Kayla Flores, decided to create a fashion brand that reflects her diverse experiences. &ldquo;It represents the synthesis of my creative experiments, personal style, and lifestyle,&rdquo; she explains. Kayla&rsquo;s creative process focuses on challenging traditional forms and structures. &ldquo;I enjoy deconstructing conventional designs, crafting pieces that appear fragmented and disordered while still maintaining overall cohesion.&rdquo;

PRODUCER Yanna Lopez&nbsp;
MODELS Hazel and Maria of Luminary Models, Range of IM Agency
HAIR Mhar Banting MAKEUP Jazthine Manaloto&nbsp;
STYLIST&rsquo;S ASSISTANT Teresita Gabat
PHOTOGRAPHER&rsquo;S ASSISTANT Ely Styles&nbsp;
LIGHTING DIRECTOR Odan Juan&nbsp;
SHOT ON LOCATION Hotel Celeste

Cream of the Crop: Eight Emerging Filipino Designers

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