PHILIPPINES— At SoFA Design Institute, the balance between tradition and innovation lies at the heart of its design education, encouraging students to create work that is not only visually compelling, but also grounded in identity, and purpose. As Filipino design continues to gain recognition on the global stage, a new generation of designers is finding meaningful ways to honor the country's rich cultural heritage while shaping its creative future. This vision came to life th

It has been three decades since bitagcol’s first foray into fashion. Her creative journey began in 1996 on the runways and on the set of the most iconic images in Philippine fashion. Life as a model brought her to the world’s fashion capitals and into the ateliers of the region’s most revered designers. But more importantly, it lured her behind the scenes, into the world of photography. Every phase in bitagcol’s life and career has seamlessly flowed into the next with incred

Lev Rodriguez, Marj Ramos-Clemente, and Iris Ocampo came together for SOFA Design Dialogues, a conversation that peeled back the polished surface of the creative industries to reveal the real stories behind successful careers. Instead of formal presentations, the event embraced candid discussion, inviting students, aspiring creatives, career shifters, and parents into an honest exchange about passion, uncertainty, and the realities of working in design. The morning opened wit

MoCAF, the Modern and Contemporary Art Festival, marks its fifth consecutive edition since its founding in 2022. MoCAF 2026 will feature an expanded lineup of over 50 local and international galleries, a range of new and continuing programs, and partnerships across the arts, food, and beverage industries, making it the largest and most ambitious edition of the festival to date.

Filipino Footwear Steps Into the Global Stage Through the 1st National Footwear Design Competition The Philippine footwear industry marked a defining moment with the launch of the 1st National Footwear Design Competition, titled “Hakbang at Habi | Where Every Stitch Tells a Story.” More than a design contest, it became a national platform where craftsmanship, culture, and innovation converged into a shared creative language. Organized by the Filipino Footwear Alliance Associa

Photographer & Stylist: Ron Ben Model: Nadia — TWO management. Freddy — NEXT management Eugene — NEXT management Assistant: Jofre Francisco and Miah McCarthy

Kael Street exists in the space between nostalgia and modernity, transforming forgotten textiles, vintage fabrics, and delicate embroidery into pieces that feel deeply personal. Rooted in storytelling and slow craftsmanship, the brand creates garments that carry warmth, memory, and a sense of history, proving that fashion can be both wearable and emotional. Inspired by fashion history, cinema, and the romance of past eras, Kael Street embraces intuitive creation over fast-mov

PHOTOGRAPHER: Wilmark Jolindon STYLIST & ART DIRECTOR: Hillary Lee MAKEUP: Janell Capuchino HAIR: G Mande MODELS: Erica Lau of Mercator & Kevin Cantos PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: Dennis Sulit CLOTHES: Celina delos Reyes, HA.MÜ Mood & Lean Profeta SPECIAL THANKS: Zoomburst Photo Studio, Jovie Sta. Ana, & Mary Faye Murphy

In a practice where tradition meets scientific inquiry, color becomes less of a fixed outcome and more of an evolving conversation between material, environment, and time. For Mariton Villanueva, founder of Himaya by Mariton Villanueva, botanical dyeing is not simply a craft rooted in heritage, but a living laboratory where experimentation and unpredictability shape every result. Her process begins with research. References like Gampol, a documentation of traditional Philippi

For the mind behind Viktor, leather has never been about excess. It is about permanence, protection, and identity. While the Manila-based label first earned recognition for its premium custom denim, it is through leather that the brand reveals its sharpest edge, transforming a material often associated with rebellion into something architectural, intimate, and deeply personal. Long before Viktor existed, fashion already played a defining role in his life. A graduate of Univer

Photography and Creative Direction : Jobo Nacpil (@jobonacpil) Grooming : Myckee Arcano (@myckeearcano) Model : Ross (@rossmrtnz) of Muse Men Philippines (@musemenphilippines) (@musemnla) Shot at Zoomburst Studios (@zoomburst)

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when fashion stops being just about clothing and starts becoming a language. In Imaginarium: Tales from the Land and Sea , that language is deeply personal, quietly powerful, and unmistakably Filipino. Set to unfold at the UP IBG-KAL Theater, Season 2 of Imaginarium brings together a new generation of designers who aren’t interested in following the usual path. Instead, they build worlds—ones shaped by memory, identity, and transfo

Photography by: Aileen Wang

In a digital world that often pushes creators toward trends and quick visibility, Cheska Torres Ibasan chooses a quieter path—one rooted in reflection, cultural memory, and the layered realities of Filipino identity. Her work moves through the spaces in between: between softness and strength, heritage and reinvention, solitude and community. Rather than trying to define what it means to be Filipino in a single frame, she leans into the complexity of it, allowing contradictio

There’s something quietly disarming about seeing Shaira Luna on the other side of the lens. For someone whose work has long defined how others are seen, this cover shifts the gaze. Shot by emerging photographer Gail Geriane, it isn’t about reinvention. It’s about reflection, trust, and a kind of creative exchange that feels both natural and necessary. For Shaira, being photographed is never something she fully settles into. “The awkwardness and excitement never really go away

Before the global campaigns and agency rosters, before her name carried weight across Asia, Jiratchaya Kedkong was simply stepping into the unknown. This 2018 cover story captures her at a pivotal moment, fresh from her win on Asia’s Next Top Model, standing at the edge of everything she had yet to become. There’s a rawness to this chapter. A sense of discovery. Tawan, as she’s known, wasn’t just entering the industry, she was still learning herself in the process. Every cast

Denial A temporary shock absorber, often expressed as "This isn't happening to me". Anger Frustration and rage directed towards the situation, asking "Why me?" or "Who's to blame?". Bargaining Making deals with a higher power, hoping to reverse or delay the loss, like "If only I had... I would... ". Depression Overwhelming sadness, feeling the reality of the loss, leading to withdrawal and helplessness. Acceptance Coming to terms with the new reality, not necessarily me

A new collection of hand-embroidered kimonas, bibs, tapis skirts, and sarongs fill the pop up space of Dennis Lustico. Beyond it being a holiday offering, the Filipiniana Collection echoes the designer’s musings on what it truly means to build an enduring wardrobe and dress beautifully. Dennis Lustico’s pop up space on the second level of the Powerplant Mall resembles a jewel box. A velvet chartreuse sofa, Persian carpets, deep red curtains create a sense of being cocooned in

At only 27, Hong Kong–based photographer Michelle Lau has already carved out a voice that feels both intimate and transportive. A multimedia graduate of PolyU, Michelle’s journey into photography began in a simple, personal way. Back in 2011, she and her then-boyfriend would spend their days taking photos together. What started as a shared pastime opened a door she never closed. Over the years, that early spark grew into a deeper pursuit of storytelling through images. For M

Philippine contemporary designer, Jor-El Espina, culminates a year-long countdown to his 20th year in fashion with a gala fashion show entitled, Jor-El Espina: 20 Design Anthologies When Jor-el Espina began to think about how he would celebrate two decades in fashion, it seemed impossible for him to capture his creative journey in just one collection or show. “So many things have taken place since I began in fashion,” the contemporary Philippine designer reflects. “This is wh