Big moments for Philippine Fashion in 2023
Philippine fashion and culture were front and center in 2023. The year started with the return of Ternocon to champion our national dress, which has become more ubiquitous at events that came back with a vengeance, keeping designers and related industry professionals busy. The terno even made waves internationally, from fashion weeks at world capitals to film premieres and even a royal coronation.
Philippine artistry also went viral when the world saw a centenarian tattoo artist from Kalinga on the cover of Vogue, proudly displaying her heritage. She would set a trend, with women of a certain age being given the same honor for their achievements in science, literature and the arts—all while rocking designer outfits. Honor given to designers was not forgotten, of course. The Red Charity Gala resumed this year, delighting fashion aficionados who had so much to be thankful for in a most productive year of style.
The Ternocon Balintawak
Gathering entries from all over the country, Ternocon 3 shortlisted 12 leading designers to reimagine the balintawak, the terno’s countryside sister, the post-pandemic choice for the terno-making convention, which was spearheaded by Bench founder Ben Chan and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Months of interdisciplinary lectures, workshops, visits to museums and artisan workshops, and mentoring by designers headed by artistic director Gino Gonzales, chief mentor Inno Sotto and mentors Dennis Lustico, Joey Samson, Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo, culminated in the final competition night at the CCP Black Box Theater where Yssa Inumerable, Gabbie Sarenas, Glady Rose Pantua and Amor Albano won gold, silver, bronze and Chief Mentor’s award, respectively. For the benefit of the general public, exhibits of the finalists’ and mentors’ balintawaks were later mounted at Ayala Malls’ Glorietta and Greenbelt and at the Ayala Museum.
The Terno Makes it to Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks
The terno made it to Paris Fashion Week when Heart Evangelista, a regular attendee at the shows, wore a gold terno by Ternocon 3 finalist Cheetah Rivera. Tim Yap promoted it at the Milan edition, wearing an ensemble by Glynn Alley Magtibay, another finalist who upcycled discarded X-rays for the butterfly sleeves.
Dolly De Leon at the Bafta Awards
Awarded Best Supporting Actress at the LA Film Critics Association Awards, Dolly De Leon was the first Filipino to be nominated at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs for her performance in the film Triangle of Sadness. She highlighted Filipino design in collaboration with stylist LJ Perez, wearing a black faux-leather creation by Norman Rene de Vera for AZ Factory at the Globes; a wave-inspired gown by Rajo Laurel for BAFTA; and a Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini pantsuit accessorized with a minaudiere by Cebu-based Neil Felipp for the Oscars.
The Whang-Od Vogue Cover goes viral
Kalinga tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od became Vogue’s oldest cover star at age 106, proudly inked in the batok tradition of her tribe and wearing her favorite red lipstick. The cover went so viral worldwide that even Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry shared it on IG, writing “Now THIS is real beauty.”
The First Lady at the Royal Coronation
The First Lady Liza Marcos was among the best dressed at the coronation of King Charles III, as reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph. She proudly wore an embroidered powder-blue terno by Paul Cabral.
Pinoy Stars at Cannes
With seven Filipino films showing at Cannes, the beauty, talent and style of the Filipino was also in the spotlight with Enchong Dee, Pia Wurtzbach, Kylie Verzosa and Nadine Lustre all showcasing Philippine design.
Goldenberg Mansion hosts fashion shows
To celebrate the restoration of the historic Goldenberg Mansion, First Lady Liza Marcos initiated a series of fashion shows starting with the collection of Puey Quiñones. She had earlier organized Likha, a trade show/forum to connect weavers from all over the Philippines with designers and manufacturers to develop the country’s artisanal craft and fashion industries.
Barbie in a Balintawak
The first live-action movie of the beloved doll featured Filipino-American actress Ana Cruz Kane as Supreme Court Justice Barbie wearing a terno and at the Hollywood premiere she followed through by wearing a pink Dennis Lustico balintawak.
The Terno Debuts at Tokyo Fashion Week
It was always Ben Chan’s dream to introduce the terno to the world, and this came true when he brought the Ternocon collections of Dennis Lustico, Joey Samson, and Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo to Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week SS 2024. The show was packed and well-received by fashion, design and media luminaries.
Women of a certain age inspire the nation
In another first, Vogue Philippines featured women of a certain age who inspire the nation —highlighting their expertise and achievements — from National Scientist Dr. Dolores Ramirez and National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes to Heritage Advocate and Culinary Historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, chef and restaurateur Glenda Baretto, and author Marian Pastor Roces.
Red Charity Gala returns with Ivar Aseron
The Red Charity Gala returned with the stellar collection of Ivar Aseron, who outdid himself using artisanal and couture techniques that he reimagined for a stunning show that was another success for organizers Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga who, together with longtime sponsor Ben Chan of Bench, have always championed Philippine fashion design while supporting charitable causes.
Michael Cinco Revisits Spain
Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco returned for “The Impalpable Dream of España,” a couture show that revisited Spain as part of our heritage. As the centerpiece of the Legacy charity ball, it was his way of giving back to the country.
Paskong Ternocon
Just as the year started with the terno, so did it end merrily with it, through Paskong Ternocon at SM Aura, featuring the well-applauded collections of Lesley Mobo and Joey Samson, a tropical fantasy with Latin flavor for the former and one inspired by Rizal’s works and writings for the latter.