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In April 2026, something special happened on the Mojave stage. BINI, the eight-member Filipino girl group known for their joyful energy and heartfelt songs, stepped into the spotlight as the first act from the Philippines to perform at Coachella. And behind their unforgettable visuals stood a team of Filipino creatives who poured their hearts into every detail.
Among them was designer Renan Pacson, who crafted the dancers’ performance looks and a full set of custom garments for the members’ surprise guest appearance during flowerovlove’s set.
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The First Task
Pacson had walked alongside BINI for years, long before the world took notice. Their collaboration began in 2019 when the group was still finding its footing. He worked on early projects, including the music video for “Karera,” “Pantropiko,” “Shagidi,” and “Sweet Tooth.” Through it all, a genuine bond grew between him and the team.
For the main stage, stylist Ica Villanueva shaped an “Elements of the Sea” direction. Pacson brought that idea to life with materials drawn straight from Philippine shores and soil. He used lambat (traditional fishing net) to create soft mesh tops that required a hidden structure underneath. Corset-style boning along the shoulders gave the outfits a stronger shape, while the rest stayed light and flowing so the dancers could move without restriction.
The layered pants took inspiration from the natural world as well. Their edges and folds resembled the gills of a fish. Coconut buttons were added, and treatments with uling (charcoal) brought in an earthy depth.
Pacson often heads to Quiapo and Divisoria to touch fabrics, absorb their textures, and let the materials themselves guide his hands before any sketch takes form.
“I do not draw right away. I’m very organic. I like to see the materials first, touch them, and play around with them before I can design.”
—RENAN PACSON
He had roughly one month to complete the dancers’ looks once the green light came. From gathering supplies to testing embroideries and treatments, he moved quickly, knowing the trust placed in him. The garments needed to support the main performance without stealing focus, yet still tell their own story of sea and land.
Cultural Layers
Then came a surprising turn. Pacson also created an entire set for the girls’ guest moment with flowerovlove. The direction centered on capturing a young, carefree desert festival mood while keeping that distinct tropical identity. He referenced early 2000s music festival photos and his own memories of growing up through the Y2K era, but made sure each member’s outfit reflected her personality without repeating fabrics.
His designs remained thoughtful, of course. Specifically, Gwen’s skirt drew from the texture of shredded banana leaves after a boodle fight (Filipino communal dining), and Mikha’s top nodded to the delicate patterns of latok (seaweed). These details were intended for closer eyes, encouraging people to discover the cultural layers beneath the festival ease.
Adding all those elements together brought real pressure. “It was challenging to balance everything in a short amount of time without a lot of fittings,” Pacson recalls. “We still wanted it to be young and carefree to capture the spirit of the festival while incorporating the story that we wanted to tell, but in a way that’s not forced.” He sent near-complete looks for each member, happy for Villanueva to mix and match items because she knew the girls so well.
Pacson works from Nueva Ecija, so the distance added another layer of challenge during the intense preparation. Yet the long-standing relationship made the process smoother. He has always appreciated how the collaboration grew naturally.
When the moment finally arrived and he saw the girls on stage—dancing, singing in Tagalog, owning that historic slot—pride washed over him. “I’m just really proud of the girls,” he says warmly. “It’s just really a proud moment for me as a Pinoy. Seeing them and then hearing Tagalog songs on stage. And me being part of it.”
For anyone who watched BINI light up the Mojave, those outfits showed how Filipino creativity can move freely across borders. Truly, it takes a village. And Renan Pacson’s hands helped make that bridge possible, one thoughtful stitch at a time.
Photos: RENAN PACSON (via Instagram)
