Philippine Fashion Week
| Philippine Fashion Week | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Exhibitions |
| Frequency | Biannual |
| Country | Philippines |
The Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW) is a biannual week-long fashion show in Metro Manila, Philippines. The event is held in May to showcase holiday collections and in October to present spring and summer collections. Known as the "Olympics" of Philippine fashion, it is the longest-running fashion event in the country and one of the most important fashion events held in Manila.[1] The Philippine Fashion Week was founded by Joey A. Espino Jr. and Audie Espino in 1997. They continue to lead the project as executive producers along with the Espino brothers' protégé, Conchitina (Tina) Herrera.
Filipino designers including Ito Curata, Arcylen Moya, Ezra Santos, Oliver Tolentino, Albert Andrada, Jerome Salaya Ang, Noel Crisostomo, Jeffrey Rogador, Sidney Perez Sio, EsAc, Pat Santos, Arnold Galang, Roland Alzate, Raoul Ramirez, Lyle Ibanez, Cherry Samuya Veric, Philipp Tampus, Junjun Cambe, Mixy Dy, Jian Lasala, Randall Solomon, Kaye Morales, Boyet Dysangco, Anthony Nocom, Eric Delos Santos, Cesar Gaupo, Robin Tomas, Lesley Mobo, Frederick Peralta, Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno, and Aureo Alonzo have presented their collections on Philippine Fashion Week's multi-media platform. The event is ‘by invitation only’ and participating designers pay a participation fee, with each designer undergoing a stringent selection process with their collections approved based on design ingenuity.[2]
As of 2008, it has been consistently held at the SMX Convention Center and SM Mall of Asia, until 2019 when it was held at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.
Notable celebrities and personalities who have been featured on Philippine Fashion Week include, but are not limited to: Nina Garcia, Leighton Meester, Kylie Jenner, David Gandy, Allison Harvard, Dominique Reighard, Katie Ford, and the Miss Shapes. International Filipino supermodels like Charo Ronquillo, Charlene Almarvez, Danica Magpantay, Manuela Basilio, and Paolo Roldan have been recurring guests.[citation needed]
Designers that have been hosted on Philippine Fashion Week have had their pieces worn by celebrities that include, but are not limited to; Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Sofía Vergara, Christina Aguilera, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Fergie, Tyra Banks, Paula Patton, Paris Hilton, Dita Von Teese, Emmy Rossum, and Mischa Barton.[citation needed]
Sponsorship
Philippine Fashion Week is annually presented by Runway Productions, CalCarries, EsAC, and Masters School for Models. In previous seasons, Philippine Fashion Week was sponsored by MasterCard, L'Oreal Paris, Maybelline New York, Power Mac Centre, Beats by Dre, Moshi, Gosh, Knomo London, Happy Plugs Stockholm, CaseMate, BDO, SM Residences, Hamilo Coast, Pico de Loro Club, Ipanema, Sony Vaio, Sony Cybershot, PLDT, Axe, Pond's, Sunsilk, Cream Silk, Magnum Ice Cream, Nestle, Emperador and Cignal TV.[3]
The government sector, including the Department of Agriculture, Fiber Industry Development Authority, and Burdang Taal, in collaboration with Filipino designers, has participated in Philippine Fashion Week to bring attention to local fabrics and craftsmanship.[citation needed]
Other presentations on the runways of Philippine Fashion Week include SM Department Store's 50th anniversary celebration, A Tribute to Louie Mamengo, A Tribute to Joe Salazar, Salvacion Lim Higgins' Slim's at 50, Project Runway Philippines' Season 1 and Season 2 finales, Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines, and Supermodel Philippines.
Brands
Participating brands in recent years include SM Store's SM Woman, SM Men, SM Kids, SM Shoes & Bags, Parisian, Forever 21, Alexander Wang X, H&M, The Ramp-Crossings Department Store, Rusty Lopez, Bench, Human, Kashieca, Freego, FG, Wrangler, Giordano, Vans, Guess, Levi's, Lee Jeans, Jag Jeans, Candie's, Folded & Hung, Triumph, Wharton, Jelly Bean, Bayo, Plains & Prints, Petit Monde, Barbie 50th Anniversary, Penshoppe, Oxygen, Regatta, Memo, For Me, Avon Fashion, Unica Hija, Sfera, Suite Blanco, Uno de 50, and Mint, showcasing their collection each season.
Early 2000s
Philippine Fashion Week was previously held at Glorietta Activity Center, with offsite shows, parties and activities at the NBC Tent, The Rockwell Tent, InterContinental Manila, and Shangri-la Makati. In its early years, the event took place for 7–10 days and saw participation from many international fashion brands entering the Philippine market and group-show designers presenting capsule collections.[citation needed]
The Philippine Fashion Week has been held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM Mall of Asia and SM Aura, with off-site activities at Peninsula Hotel Manila and Raven Boutique Club.
In 2019, it was held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria[4] and in 2024, it was relaunched at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.[5]
Recent Developments
In 2024, Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW) underwent a significant transformation under new management. Amorada Inc. assumed control of the event’s operations, with Nikky Nicandro III appointed as Chief Vision Officer. Founders Joey and Audie Espino remain involved as executive producers, ensuring continuity with the event’s original mission.[6]
Under its new leadership, PhFW expanded its vision beyond fashion to include a broader lifestyle focus. The platform now encompasses seven sectors: fashion, dining, wine and spirits, home, travel, arts and entertainment, and wellness. This shift aims to foster cross-industry collaboration and redefine the fashion week format into an immersive, multi-sensory experience. [7]
In contrast to its previous biannual schedule, PhFW announced plans to hold year-round programming. These include designer pop-ups, exhibitions, and collaborative projects that extend beyond the runway. The event also aims to establish partnerships with other global fashion weeks and lifestyle entities to increase international visibility for Filipino talent.[8]
Additionally, Philippine Fashion Week is positioning itself as a business incubator for designers and creatives. Future plans include the launch of an e-commerce platform, enabling participating designers to reach wider markets through digital retail. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to modernize the Philippine fashion industry and support the creative economy.[9]
PhFW's upcoming events are scheduled for 2025, with a holiday season showcase expected in March or April, and a spring/summer collection presentation in October. The relaunch will feature seven Filipino designers, with the potential for additional local and international participants. [6]
As part of its advocacy, PhFW also introduced programs to support the fashion workforce, particularly tailors and sewers. These initiatives aim to address gaps in local manufacturing capacity and promote more sustainable industry practices.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Philippine Fashion Week | Philippines, Asia". Europa Regina. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "Designers". Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW). Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ "Sponsors Archive". Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW). Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ "Philippine Fashion Week finds a new home". Manila Times. June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "Philippine Fashion Week is Back! Here's What You Need to Know". Art+ Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ a b Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. "Philippine Fashion Week sets 2025 comeback with new management, programs". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ Arias, Judy (2024-10-25). "Philippine Fashion Week is reinventing itself as a global lifestyle platform". The Post. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ Graphic, Philippines (2024-10-25). "Philippine Fashion Week: Reinventing the runway with a bold new vision". Philippines Graphic. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ a b CEDTyClea (2024-10-27). "The return of Philippine Fashion Week". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
