The landscape of fashion in the Philippines has always been far more than just garments—it is about the stories stitched into them. Today, a new wave of Filipino designers is challenging the limits of what Filipino fashion can look like.
With young and talented designers entering the fashion scene with their bold takes on traditional wear, daring silhouettes, masterful techniques, and collections that have a story, they shape the next chapter of Philippine fashion.
Here are 6 Filipino designers who are already shaping the future of Filipino fashion:
Ron Roxas (@ron.roxas)
Some designers create clothes—Ron Roxas creates universes. A UP Diliman Clothing Technology graduate, Ron’s visual language is daring, culturally relevant, and unmistakably their own. From unconventional silhouettes, bold styling that demands attention, and cathartic design process.“Whenever I’m asked to describe my style, I’ve gravitated towards…theatrical, uninhibited, and referential. Each look tries to tell a story or portray an experience, usually quite personal to me,” he shared.
Ron’s influence in fashion is rooted in memory and community, he finds inspirations in daily life—from plastic bags in Divisoria, to Filipino culture, and vibrant Bakla spirit.“My works usually reflect the lived experiences of being Filipino and Bakla. To be queer is to be a revolutionary, and I try to reflect this in my designs.” Ron’s designs are not just garments but instruments of resistance and advocacy. "One of the integral aspects of my design language is that it always aims to tell my personal narratives of being a “bakla” or queer Filipino. By doing so, these designs help promote understanding, foster acceptance, and preserve the cultural heritage of our community through increased visibility," he explains.
Ron Roxa’s creations have been worn by stars like Melai Cantiveros, Awra Briguela, Hana Beshie and more. When these public figures wear his designs, they spotlight queer stories and help normalize queer representation in mainstream culture. Ron Roxas channels this momentum into the future, dreaming of a Filipino fashion scene that values raw materials and talent.“Our country is rich in both, but lacks access to develop its potential. I hope to see more local textiles produced by Filipino mills and researchers, with artisanship preserved through technology.” Ultimately, for Ron Roxas fashion is motion in revolution. His theatrical and bold designs show that being queer and Filipino is about resisting, persisting, and being unapologetically present.
Eman Riñoza (@emanrinoza)
Emanuel Gabriel Riñoza’s journey began long before the lights of the Drag Race Philippines stage ever shone on his work. From a young age, he was captivated by the glamorous worlds of pageantry and fashion, sparking a lifelong passion that led him to pursue a degree in Fashion Design and Technology at iACADEMY, where he graduated with the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude.
“What first drew my interest into fashion design is, aside from being a creative kid, pageantry and fashion reality shows like America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway really influenced me to aspire to the fashion industry,” Riñoza shares. "My design aesthetic is conceptual, sexy, and expensive," he said. "I do like my designs to be a sort of art piece when it comes to the craft, like I am a sucker for intricate details. For me in those small details is where the language of the design comes from.
When it comes to silhouette, I like to give a definition of sexiness by showing skin or doing a perfect hourglass silhouettes through corsetry. And when it comes to the vibe, I wanted my designs to translate like it’s one of a kind, something extra but still wearable." Riñoza’s journey into fashion isn’t just a personal pursuit—it’s a love letter to Filipino culture and a bold step towards international recognition.
John Jade Montecalvo (@monteclavo_creations)
Designing while practicing sustainability is what John Monteclavo does well. More than designing clothes, he puts tradition and culture, drawing from weaving techniques, and a long-practiced tradition of his family’s rug-making background. By featuring local weavers and rug-makers in his designs, John shows how celebrating tradition and encouraging sustainability creates unique, runway-ready pieces.
His designs have been worn by Sarah Geronimo, P-Pop group BINI, Nadine Luster, and Max Collins. This shows that his woven heritage connects with both mainstream and artistic audiences. He says, “The culture and livelihood of my community deeply influence me. Recycling discarded fabric to create innovative products, such as handwoven rugs, is our main source of livelihood. That’s where my journey began.”
And with every woven fabric lies a story behind it. “Every design should have purpose and reflect a designer’s unique identity. I aim to create work that is authentic, meaningful, and recognizable.” With this viewpoint as a designer he remains hopeful for other designers to create wearable art with stories. “I look forward to more emerging designers embracing sustainability and celebrating our Filipino identity and culture,” he added. John Monteclavo shows that Filipino heritage and sustainability go hand in hand and are key to the future of Filipino fashion.
Lance Ernest Rubio (@lanceernestrubio)
Lance Ernest Rubio believes that clothes should make an impact not only on the person wearing them, but also on those who see them. After graduating from CSB Manila, Lance Rubio gained recognition with their collection Para Kay Nanay, turning his mother’s sacrifices and unconditional love into wearable art. Today, Lance Rubio combines technical skill with emotion to design pieces that feel personal and stand out.
Designing is best done collaboratively, as Lance Rubio puts it: “For my clients, it’s a collaboration. It is personal as well. It reflects the personality of the wearer, ‘cause that makes them feel more comfortable and confident!” he shared. “I want more opportunities for young provincial creatives like me. I believe many stories from our provinces need to be seen, heard, and felt. I also hope more Filipino designers gain international recognition.” Couture is about memories, collaboration, and believing that Filipino fashion is truly world class.
Reese Collins Latonio (@byreesecollinslatonio)
Ever so often designers catch the industry’s attention as soon as they arrive. Reese Collins Latonio, a Clothing Technology graduate and valedictorian of UP Diliman, is one of them. Latonio first gained attention after Heart Evangelista wore his Bow Bag in Paris, a viral moment that immediately gained widespread popularity.
Still, Latonio’s core remains focused on storytelling, not virality.“I like storytelling and intricate details…translating the concepts and principles behind certain narratives into sartorial art. Textile manipulations become representations of bigger stories.” Each garment is intentional, every stitch reflects his identity.“I’d love to tell stories that deeply resonate with myself. I think it’s important to know who you are as a creator… I’d like my work to first be mine, and then eventually be the world’s.” he added.
Reese Latonio’s vision for Filipino fashion is unapologetically bold. “I’d love to see more trans people in fashion. I truly believe there is a beauty to transness that is so unique, especially in a world pillared by cisgender standards. That sort of transgression allows for a certain boldness to arise.” Latonio’s designs combine youth and sophistication. More importantly, it resists conformity. Reese Latonio is making space for individuality, storytelling, and trans representation as central pillars for the future of Filipino Fashion.
Andre Plaus (@andre_plaus)
The designer who’s knitting every look one dream at a time, Andre Plaus from iAcademy has been making a name in the industry by creating looks backed with stories straight out of nostalgia and emotions, making their garments something that the public can connect to visually and emotionally. “I am an emotional designer. My work is guided by feelings, often drawing from nostalgia and stories I want to explore, both from the past and from longings I still hold." Andre shared.
Each piece begins in a tedious process on a vintage knitting machine that requires patience and care. With it, Andre Plaus creates detailed pieces, showing how imagination can turn into art. “Using a domestic knitting machine, I create garments from scratch. My work demonstrates what simple tools and ambitious imagination can achieve.” Andre explained.
With celebrities like Sunshine Cruz and Angelina Cruz wearing Andre’s designs, shows that knitwear, often considered a niche material, is becoming popular. For Andre Plaus, knitwear is more than just its texture, it’s about transforming the garment into stories that can connect to whoever sees and wears them.
Andy Domantay (@andydomantay)
Andy Domantay is a designer known for stitching heritage with streetwear, making every look cultural with the pulse of the streets. His designs are grounded in the rich culture of the Philippines, incorporating indigenous textiles such as the Inabel of Ilocos and Abra, transforming it into modern streetwear. Andy Domantay creates a visual language that is dynamic, and ever-evolving with each collection while still remembering his roots.
“I have always been fascinated with our rich history and culture… I’ve been incorporating garment elements from indigenous and contemporary Filipino clothing with streetwear design aesthetics.”he shared. Being a probinsyano reinforces his connection to his craft. Andy’s design honors all the things that remind him of his hometown. “I always wanted to highlight the probinsiya experience. Agriculture heavily shaped not just the place I grew up in, but also the livelihood of generations.” he added.
From turning traditional textiles into couture, Andy Domantay’s designs serve as a statement that merging heritage with streetwear reframes Filipino identity for the new generation and highlights how tradition can still keep up with trends.
Written by Dominic Bermoy
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