The spotlight was bigger at MNL Fashion Week this year, and so was its guest list. Filipino stars showed up in the front row and on the runway, while international names from across Asia joined the festivities—bringing fresh attention to the designers, collections, and growing fashion scene unfolding in Manila.
RELATED: MNL Fashion Week 2026: Yana Kalaw Makes a Triumph Out of Queer Womanhood
The Front Row
A longtime supporter of Filipino fashion, Anne Curtis took her place in the front row at RANDOLF, dressed head-to-toe in the label. Joining her was Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, who made appearances at both RANDOLF and Lorico, where Sarah Lahbati was also spotted in a deep red dress.
Meanwhile, Jillian Ward, wearing Lilah Roché, took in the Young Designers show. Young actress and MEGA Face to Watch Charlie Fleming, on the other hand, made the most of her MNL Fashion Week run, sitting front row at HA.MU, Lorico, and Antonina.
On the Runway
Michelle Dee emerged as one of MNL Fashion Week’s standout models, opening the shows of Yana Kalaw, Antonina, and Proudrace. Across all three appearances, she brought the range of a seasoned model and beauty queen, moving effortlessly between beauty, fashion, and performance.
Joining Dee on the ANTONINA runway were Marina Summers, who walked in a feather-filled mini dress, and Kylie Verzosa, who closed the show in a sculptural corset ensemble defined by a pronounced hip.
Nadine Lustre also made her runway return at the Young Designers show, where a dramatic reveal introduced her as the new face of JAG.
The International Crowd
MNL Fashion Week’s star power extended beyond the local scene, with international names making their way to Manila to experience Filipino fashion firsthand.
Thai GL actresses Sonya Saranphat and Lookmhee Punyapat, collectively known as LMSY, were welcomed onto Charlotte Folk’s runway in the brand’s signature street style. Meanwhile, Ormsin Supitcha and Folk Sutima Korkiatvanich, or OrmFolk, joined ANTONINA on the runway.
Vietnamese designer and social media star Diep Linh Chau also made a striking impression throughout the week, attending shows from first to the last day. At nearly every show, she was seated alongside Indonesian model Helen Hiu and brand director and fashion entrepreneur Cissylia Stefani Leuwen, both of whom were spotted across all four days of Fashion Week.
MNL Fashion Week 2026 brought together a mix of Filipino celebrities, rising personalities, and international guests, turning its front rows and runways into a meeting point for fashion, entertainment, and culture. Their presence reflects not only the growing attention surrounding Filipino designers, but also the expanding audience watching Philippine fashion take its place on a wider stage.
Photographed by KIERAN PUNAY of KLIQ INC. and KIM MONTES
Additional Photo: HELEN HIU (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Anne Curtis attended RANDOLF’s show dressed in the label, while Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey appeared at both RANDOLF and Lorico. Sarah Lahbati was spotted at Lorico, Jillian Ward attended the Young Designers show, and Charlie Fleming sat front row at HA.MU, Lorico, and Antonina.
Michelle Dee opened shows for Yana Kalaw, Antonina, and Proudrace. Marina Summers and Kylie Verzosa also walked for Antonina, while Nadine Lustre made her runway return at the Young Designers show, revealed as the new face of JAG.
Thai GL actresses Sonya Saranphat and Lookmhee Punyapat (LMSY) walked Charlotte Folk’s runway, while Ormsin Supitcha and Folk Sutima Korkiatvanich (OrmFolk) appeared on ANTONINA’s runway. Vietnamese designer Diep Linh Chau also attended throughout the week.
Helen Hiu is an Indonesian model who attended MNL Fashion Week 2026 alongside Diep Linh Chau and brand director Cissylia Stefani Leuwen, with all three spotted across all four days of the event.
Nadine Lustre returned to the runway at the Young Designers show, where a dramatic reveal introduced her as the new face of JAG.
Recommended Video
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
