One morning, Thai superstar and fashion darling Davika Hoorne popped into Mark Bumgarner’s DMs with a request that was anything but casual—she wanted a terno. She was looking for a way to honor her Filipino fans, to step into the elegance of the traditional dress, and to do so through the hands of a Filipino designer. Bumgarner, already a fan of her fearless style, didn’t hesitate. “She wanted to borrow a traditional Filipiniana outfit, but I thought, ‘Why not make her a custom piece instead? Something truly hers, yet undeniably ours.’”
RELATED: From Saigon to Sondheim: Three Filipina Kims Enter the Woods
International Star in a Filipiniana
Davika Hoorne’s Mark Bumgarner look takes in glamourous sculptural terno sleeves, framing a plunging neckline. The fitted, ruched silhouette in a striking turquoise hue is adorned with delicate crystal-encrusted bows. Flowing from the back, a dramatic blush pink train cascades, anchored by a floral accent at the waist.
In another look, she wears a sculptural mocha ensemble that drapes around her body. The bodice, wrapped in layers of lustrous fabric, creates a liquid silhouette, while the asymmetrically gathered skirt falls into an elegant train. A single burst of fuchsia blooms at her shoulder, breaking the monochrome with a deliberate flourish. Paired with metallic heels and a softly tousled updo, the look feels like a modern reinterpretation of classic grandeur.
“The terno, with its structured silhouette and butterfly sleeves, was once seen as a costume,” Bumgarner reflects. “But with its resurgence in contemporary Philippine fashion, it’s now acceptable for any formal event.”
Dressing Hornee in a terno meant placing it in a new context—on an international star, outside Filipino traditions—yet still keeping its spirit intact. “It can be a respectful appreciation, depending on intent,” he says. “At the same time, I wanted to showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of our designers. It was about sharing a piece of our heritage in a way that felt meaningful.”
And yet, despite its evolution, the terno remains unmistakable—feminine, graceful, powerful. Confirmation that tradition and innovation can exist not as opposites, but as partners in a garment that continues to tell a Filipino story.
A Terno Worth Remembering
Even before the dress was finished, Hornee’s reaction was enough to make any designer’s heart swell. “I sent her photos, and she messaged me back: ‘It’s so beautiful, I’m crying…’” Bumgarner recalls. “With her status, she could wear any designer she wanted. That made it even more meaningful.”
Wanting to ensure a perfect fit, Bumgarner flew to Bangkok, bringing three additional dresses. But the moment she wore the terno, something shifted. “Her glam team gasped. They kept saying ‘maganda’. And Davika—she knew. She carried it like she had studied it, like she understood its weight beyond fabric and form.”
Something clicked—the kind of moment when fashion isn’t just worn but understood. After all, she wore it with intent: to honor. “Here’s to more collaborations with Davika,” Mark Bumgarner says. And if this is any indication, there’s much more to look forward to.
To learn more about Mark Bumgarner’s creations, visit his atelier at Kalayaan Avenue, Makati and his Instagram for more information
Photos: MARK BUMGARNER
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
