Recommended Video
It’s a delightful discovery for the Philippines that two Filipino designers—namely Rafe Totengco and Monique Lhuillier—participated in the recent The Devil Wears Prada 2 movie. But it turns out that Hollywood has featured Filipino craftsmanship on screen for many years now. Within the wardrobe departments of the entertainment industry, plenty of award-winning fashion and costume designers, milliners, and artists have created some of your fan-favorite looks from box office hits.
RELATED: Cardi B Wearing Rian Fernandez Is Further Proof that Filipino Design Is World Class
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)
Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley and Why Women Kill star Lucy Liu joined the sequel as cast additions that many were excited about when first announced. Behind the scenes, it was revealed that Ashley sported Rafè Totengco’s violet AZURA Asymmetric Minaudiere clutch during the movie’s opening gala scene.
Meanwhile, Liu played the elusive and wealthy Sasha Barnes, who appeared in Runway magazine wearing Monique Lhuillier’s Gold Lame Rose Jacquard cocktail dress.
Wicked (2024) & Wicked: For Good (2025)
Adapting a Broadway musical such as Wicked into a grand full-length movie requires a massive budget, an army of skilled cast members, and a full production crew just for the costumes. Among the creators was none other than Harvy Santos, who worked alongside fellow milliner Sophie Lambe to bring Paul Tazewell’s vision to life.
Respect (2021)
As the costume designer for Aretha Franklin’s biopic starring Jennifer Hudson, Clint Ramos once said that he researched deeply into the “Queen of Soul’s” life—even admitting that he took on the roles of psychologist and sociologist to fill in the blanks of Franklin’s wardrobe behind her stardom.
Ramos’ approach of understanding a character’s mind, whether historical or fictional, before dressing them has earned him several nominations and ten major awards.
Black Panther (2018)
In 2018, Black Panther became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, earning over $1.34 billion worldwide. It stood out for its star-studded cast, thrilling plot, and, of course, the suits worn by the heroes and villains.
As former Senior Visual Designer for Marvel Studios, Anthony Francisco worked on the ensembles of the movie’s all-female Dora Milaje warriors. He shared in multiple interviews that he looked to Filipino indigenous communities for inspiration, along with Native American and African cultures.
Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
Fifty Shades Freed concluded the franchise and featured a wedding between protagonists Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. It took about three months for Monique Lhuillier to finish Dakota Johnson’s lace wedding gown. As a bridal couturier herself, Lhuillier was given plenty of creative freedom, but her priority remained showcasing the fictional bride’s personality.
Fifty Shades Darker (2017)
Once again, Monique Lhuillier was the talent behind Anastasia Steele’s custom liquid satin sheath gown, which featured a draped neckline, a cross back, and a capelet adorned with ostrich feathers—all aptly colored in gray. Costume designer Shay Cunliffe had reached out to Lhuillier to create the dress for the film’s masquerade ball.
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
There’s hardly a Filipino fashion insider who doesn’t know Michael Cinco’s name. Since 1997, he has been one of the most internationally acclaimed designers to hail from the Philippines. But his first Hollywood project didn’t come until 2014-2015, when he was tasked with creating Mila Kunis’ ethereal couture wedding gown for Jupiter Ascending.
A Cinderella Story (2004)
Closing this list is yet another Monique Lhuillier creation. Retelling the classic fairytale through a Y2K lens, all eyes were on Hilary Duff when she appeared at her school dance in a voluminous number made by the Filipino-American designer. According to the head of the costume department, Denise Wingate, they were “literally in panic mode” about Duff’s ballgown until they found exactly what they wanted in Lhuillier’s bridal store.
Photos: RAFÈ TOTENGCO, MONIQUE LHUILLIER, HARVY SANTOS, SOPHIE LAMBE, CLINT RAMOS, MICHAEL CINCO, and ANTHONY FRANCISCO
Frequently Asked Questions
The sequel to the fashion classic features the work of Rafe Totengco and Monique Lhuillier. Simone Ashley carries Totengco’s violet Azura Asymmetric Minaudiere in the opening gala, while Lucy Liu appears in a gold lame rose jacquard cocktail dress by Lhuillier, highlighting the continued prominence of Filipino talent in Hollywood’s high-fashion wardrobes.
Filipino milliner Harvy Santos worked as a senior milliner alongside Sophie Lambe to execute the complex headwear visions of costume designer Paul Tazewell. His craftsmanship was essential in creating the intricate, fantastical hats required for the massive production of both Wicked (2024) and its 2025 sequel, Wicked: For Good.
Acclaimed designer Clint Ramos served as the costume designer for the film, dressing Jennifer Hudson in era-defining looks. Ramos utilized a deep, research-heavy approach—incorporating elements of psychology and sociology—to recreate the Queen of Soul’s wardrobe, a process that has contributed to his reputation as a multi-award-winning leader in the field.
Anthony Francisco, while serving as Senior Visual Designer for Marvel Studios, designed the iconic uniforms for the Dora Milaje warriors. He drew direct inspiration from Filipino indigenous communities, blending these cultural motifs with African and Native American influences to create the high-tech yet traditional aesthetic of the Wakandan royal guard.
Monique Lhuillier has become a staple for cinematic weddings, designing the lace gown for Dakota Johnson in Fifty Shades Freed. Her bridal expertise even saved the production of the 2004 cult classic A Cinderella Story, providing the voluminous ballgown worn by Hilary Duff.
