Move over, Paris and Milan. The fashion world’s center of gravity has been shifting east for a while now, and from October 20 to 24, it’s the Philippines’ turn in the spotlight.
The country is hosting the inaugural Fashion Week Asia at the Newport World Resorts. Presented by AGC Power Holdings Corp. and backed by The Business of Fashion (BoF) as the official international media partner, this five-day event promises to be a definitive platform for Asian creativity. To introduce the FWA experience, here is a guide for industry insiders, buyers, and style enthusiasts.
The Runway Shows
Fashion events wouldn’t be complete without runway shows, and the FWA has lined up three nights of catwalk presentations, featuring four designers each night. Tuesday brings Malaysia’s PLAZÄ, Vietnam’s DUC Studio, the Philippines’ Kelvin Morales, and Indonesia’s TOTON. On Wednesday, Homegrown designers Rosanna Ocampo and Maligaya share the night with Vietnam’s KILOMET109 and Korea’s BAJUYO. Thursday closes with Hong Kong’s Ponder.er, Thailand’s WISHARAWISH, local talent Prince Padilla, and Taiwan’s Sophie Hong. The runway shows are by invitation only.
The Re-See
While the runway delivers the spectacle, the Re-See is where the actual business of fashion takes place. Being a ticketed event that is open to the public, this is your best chance to see the different creations in person. It allows buyers, editors, and stylists to inspect the garments up close after they debut, serving as a bridge between culture and commerce. The Re-See happens at the MGBx Convention Hall of the Manila Marriott on October 23.
The Fashion Forward Asia Forum
Thought leaders, tech innovators, and sustainability advocates will gather in a forum to discuss the future of Asian fashion. Topics to be discussed will range from how designers find their voice and turn creative work into a business, to new materials, and getting onto a fashion-week calendar. Speakers include Vogue Singapore editor-in-chief Desmond Lim, Amina Aranaz Alunan of ARANAZ, Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Trickie Lopa, and Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week founder Andrew Tan. The Fashion Forward Asia Forum will be held at the Marriott’s Diplomatic Hall. Like the Re-See, the general public can also buy tickets to this event. Joining this is a must if you design or if you’re thinking of starting your own label.
The Gala
Fashion Week Asia wraps up with a gala honoring Rajo Laurel, one of the defining figures of the Philippine fashion industry. Dubbed Archivo, the closing event looks back at Laurel’s 33-year career and the pieces and ideas that shaped his work. The by-invitation only affair will be held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom on October 24.
A New Era for Asian Fashion
The launch of Fashion Week Asia is more than just another date added to the fashion calendar; it symbolizes a new era for Asian fashion. By gathering the region’s immense talent, Fashion Week Asia provides a unified platform where Asian designers can be celebrated in their own terms, rather than merely serving as a satellite to Western markets. It is sure to change the way the world looks at Eastern design.
Visit the official Fashion Week Asia website at https://thefashionweekasia.com/ for more information and for details on how to get invites to exclusive events.
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