Everything That Happened on Day 2 of Fashion Week Asia

As guests from Asia and beyond began trickling into the historic Palacio de Memoria, refreshments and canapés were passed around to kick off the second day of Fashion Week Asia. Some wore Rosanna Ocampo, others Maligaya—a subtle yet meaningful show of support for the Filipino designers presenting that day.

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But when the lights turned to the runway, the collections brought their own kind of grounding, drawing from nature, cultural heritage, and the stories embedded in traditional craftsmanship.

The first show opened with Filipino designer Rosanna Ocampo, whose signature sequined looks captivated the audience. Her collection, “Alba—After Dark, Before Dawn,” celebrated tropical glamour, with sensual maximalismMaximalismA bold style philosophy that embraces more is more, mixing vivid colors, clashing prints, layered textures, and accessories. The opposite of minimalism, maximalism celebrates joy, personality, and self-expression, and hasGo to Maximalism Glossary taking center stage.

Shortly after, Vietnam’s Kilomet109 took the runway with “Quyên,” a collection that brought the country’s cultural heritage and landscapes into focus. Named after a bird in Vietnamese folklore, the collection highlighted the craftsmanship of eight Indigenous communities through generous layeringLayeringThe styling practice of wearing multiple garments or accessories together to create depth, texture, and warmth. Effective layering plays with proportions, lengths, and fabrics, and works in tropical climates too,Go to Layering Glossary, asymmetrical cuts, and bias-cut silhouettes.

BAJUYO followed with “TIE TIME: KOREA,” a contemporary reimagining of the hanbok, Korea’s traditional garment. The collection placed the goreum—the garment’s ties—at the center of its designs, bringing a traditional detail into a modern wardrobe. Korean embroidery featuring the moran, or peony, a traditional floral motif, further connected the collection to its cultural roots.

The runway then shifted from cultural preservation to environmental responsibility with Filipino label Maligaya’s “Found Treasures,” a collection inspired by the deterioration of marine ecosystems. Evoking an underwater world, the designs featured iridescent fabrics, net-like garments crafted from household textiles, and shells that sang and rang with every step down the runway. The result was a striking reminder of nature’s beauty—and of our shared responsibility to protect it.

The day concluded with after-show cocktails, as guests gathered to exchange thoughts on the collections and the ideas that shaped them. From contemporary interpretations of cultural traditions to resourceful approaches to sustainable design, Day 2 underscored the breadth of Asian fashion—and the stories its designers continue to bring to the global stage.

Photos Courtesy of FASHION WEEK ASIA. Photographed by EXCEL PANLAQUE and ZOE TAPALGO of KLIQ INC.

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

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