Yong Studio

For Yong Studio, nature has always been more than an inspiration. It is a visual language, a constant source of color, texture, movement, and possibility. Landscapes, rocks, water, plants, and wildlife all offer an abundance of ideas, reminding us that some of the most extraordinary forms of beauty already exist around us.

But as climate change continues to reshape the planet, that source of inspiration is becoming increasingly fragile. Forests disappear, biodiversity declines, and natural resources become more limited. For Yong Studio, the environmental conversation is also a creative one: what happens when the world that inspires us begins to disappear?

Every collection begins with a story. What personal experience, emotion, or cultural reference became the starting point for the collection you’re presenting at Manila Fashion Week?

Earth has always been my greatest source of inspiration. I travel often, and every place reminds me how extraordinary our planet really is. The colors of a landscape, the texture of rocks, the movement of water, and the patterns found in plants and wildlife. Everything already exists so beautifully.

This collection came from thinking about how climate change is slowly changing that reality. As we continue to lose forests, biodiversity, and natural resources, we’re also losing the colors, richness, and beauty that make our world so inspiring. It’s not just an environmental issue. It’s a creative one too.

As a designer, I constantly borrow from nature. This collection is my way of reflecting on what happens when the very thing that inspires us begins to disappear. It’s a reminder that protecting the environment isn’t only about preserving ecosystems. It’s also about preserving beauty, inspiration, and the world we hope to pass on to future generations.

Your work contributes to the evolving narrative of Filipino fashion. How do you define your creative identity today, and how has it transformed since you first started designing?

When I first started, I was simply excited by the idea of creating beautiful clothes. Today, I think much more about why those clothes deserve to exist.

My creative identity has become much clearer over the years. I design feminine ready-to-wear that flatters the body, but I also design with intention. We primarily work with deadstock fabrics, so every collection begins with what already exists instead of constantly asking for something new.

I also hope to represent another side of Filipino fashion. We’re already known for incredible couture and bridal. I’d love to show that Filipino ready-to-wear can be just as thoughtful, refined, and globally relevant.

Fashion is more than clothing. It’s a reflection of culture, community, and individuality. What conversation or feeling do you hope your collection sparks once it leaves the runway?

I hope people leave with a greater appreciation for nature.

Fashion is often about asking, “What’s next?” But I think we should also ask, “What do we already have?” Whether it’s our planet, the materials we use, or even the clothes already hanging in our closets, there’s so much value in appreciating what’s already here.

I also hope people feel encouraged to wear their clothes over and over again. Repeating an outfit shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. To me, a garment becomes even more beautiful because of the memories you create while wearing it.

Can you share a moment from the creation process that challenged or surprised you? Whether it was a material, silhouette, collaboration, or unexpected breakthrough, we’d love to hear the story behind it.

One of the biggest challenges was finding the balance between creating runway pieces and staying true to who we are as a ready-to-wear brand.

A fashion show naturally pushes you to create more dramatic silhouettes and statement pieces. But at the end of the day, Yong Studio designs clothes for real life. I didn’t want the collection to become a costume just because it was on a runway.

The challenge was asking myself, “How do I create something that belongs on the runway while still feeling like Yong Studio?” Every look had to represent the brand, not just the show. I wanted people to watch the collection and still imagine themselves wearing the pieces beyond Fashion Week.

I think that balance between fantasy and wearability is what made this collection the most rewarding to create.

Looking beyond this season, what do you hope your work contributes to the future of Philippine fashion, and what legacy do you want your brand to leave for the next generation of creatives?

I hope Yong Studio becomes proof that a Filipino ready-to-wear brand can earn a place on the global stage without losing its identity.

More than that, I hope we encourage a different way of thinking about fashion. That sustainability and beautiful design don’t have to compete. That deadstock fabrics still have incredible potential. That creating fewer but better pieces can be just as exciting as creating more.

If someone looks back years from now and says Yong Studio helped people see potential where others saw excess, then I think I’d be very proud of that.