In case you missed last year’s show, you can still catch a glimpse of the pieces featured at MEGA’s Young Designers Competition 2024, for a limited time only at Greenbelt 5
Fashion is ever-evolving, but the stories behind it live on. As the leading homegrown Filipino fashion magazine, MEGA has always found ways to amplify the narratives woven into the works of Filipino creatives. Last year, MEGA’s Young Designers Competition (YDC)—the platform that has paved the way for the country’s top designers—made its grand return, shining a spotlight on the next generation of fashion visionaries. Building on this momentum, MEGA, in partnership with Ayala Malls and Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising, takes the celebration further this year with the launch of the YDC Exhibit at Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5. Featuring collections from the six young Filipino designers who dominated YDC 2024, this exhibit gives you an exclusive glimpse into the handiwork of Philippine fashion’s new wave.
RELATED: MEGA Young Designers Competition 2024: Top 6 Finalists
Highlights from The YDC Exhibit
“For [three] decades, MEGA Young Designers Competition has been stitching this platform to discover and nurture young talents, and to push the boundaries of Filipino fashion,” MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro said as she welcomed the public to the MEGA YDC Exhibit.
Among the pieces available for viewing include:
Prince Padilla’s Novel
The winning collection from the MEGA YDC 2024 is a sight to behold in real life. Prince Padilla’s Novel reimagines womenswear pieces by experimenting with textiles and textures. Think: deconstructed staples, fabric scraps stitched together, and layered prints—unconventional pieces that are full of body and movement. The resulting pieces show us that fashion is about destroying conventions and playing with unlimited possibilities.
Akio Barreiro’s Love and the Pilgrim
Inspired by a visual art work of the same name, Akio Barreiro shows the union of style and faith in his YDC 2024 entry. White tulle reminiscent of feathers and religious elements—from crosses to vestments—are woven into his designs, giving a heavenly feel to his structured pieces.
Sandro Dela Pena’s The Walk
It takes a big heart to swim through troubled waters—a matter that Sando Dela Pena explores in his work. Taking inspiration from the whale—the mammal with the largest beating heart—the collection prominently features fringes, netted draping, and billowy sleeves in shades of blue and green. Fluid, while still maintaining form.
Vic Fajatin’s Framing Bodies
Vibrant and eye-catching, Vij Fajatin celebrates the beauty of the human form through Framing Bodies. The collection uses strategically placed cutouts, reimagined hoop skirts, and circular head pieces that frame the face. With a vibrant colorway—shades of magenta and blue—the collection reiterates that embracing playfulness is the key to discovering confidence.
Renz Reyes’ Archtrivial
Inspired by the pictures he has taken of everyday objects and sceneries in Manila, Renz Reyes’ Archtrivial seamlessly infuses whimsy into the mundane. Using patchwork, deconstructed materials, zippers, geometric details, and intricate stitches, he created androgynous masterpieces—from flowy dresses reminiscent of doilies to jackets with embroidered details that captured Manila’s streets.
Dino Bancoro’s Eleganza Extravaganza
A juxtaposition of couture and streetwear, Dino Bancoro’s Eleganza Extravaganza is his most liberating design collection yet. Inspired by drag culture and camp fashion, the collection uses sportswear materials to create larger-than-life garments with exaggerated silhouettes. Eclectic and daring, it shows you how fashion has no restrictions.
The Bigger Picture
But beyond being a reflection of their identity, journey, and personal narratives, these collections also mark a significant point in where we’re heading. MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro puts it best in her closing remarks: “Fashion is ever-evolving and lives on. As we witness the brilliance of the young designers, we are not just seeing the designs, we are seeing the future of Philippine fashion.”
Just as MEGA continues to make space for up-and-coming talents, Greenbelt has always fostered creativity and innovation by providing a platform for creatives to showcase their work—whether through fashion shows, exhibits, pop-ups, and Filipino Zone stores. This partnership with MEGA is only one of the many initiatives taken by both brands in championing young Filipino designers.
The MEGA YDC Exhibit is open to the public until March 9 only. Simply head over to The Gallery at Ayala Malls at Greenbelt 5 to see these collections.
Get a glimpse of the works from MEGA’s Young Designers Competition at The Gallery at Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 until March 9 only. Special thanks to Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising.
PHOTOS: KIERAN PUNAY of KLIQ INC.
Event Managed by EVENTS100
