SINULID 2025: The Graduating Designers Thread Their Experiences into the Fabric of Filipino Fashion

SINULID 2025: The Graduating Designers Thread Their Experiences into the Fabric of Filipino Fashion

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Under the theme ‘Threaded Experiences’, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s graduating class explores identity, creativity, and tradition through over 100 fashion pieces

When a needle pierces fabric, it pulls behind it a thread that weaves purpose into cloth. The anticipated graduation fashion show of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, SINULID 2025 takes this metaphor to heart. The event wove identity, creativity, and transformation across three categories—Ready-to-Wear, Conceptual, and Couture. Over 100 crafted pieces from 34 designers demonstrated fashion’s limitless capacity for storytelling.

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This year’s collections took the boundaries of beauty, gender, and tradition, threading surrealism and fluidity into the fabric of innovation. From modern power dressing to whimsical couture, the collections transcended the superficial and dove into the complexities of personal and collective experience.

Ready-to-Wear

The Ready-to-Wear collections provided a glimpse into the future of fashion as a tool for expression, each piece imbued with a story.

BALUD by Alessandra Caamic

BALUD

Inspired by the fluid motion of waves, Balud reflects the metaphorical ebb and flow of gender identity and preferences. This collection captures the dynamic spectrum of self-expression, mirroring the ever-changing tides.

Divine Feminine by Yasmine Calata

DIVINE FEMININE

Drawing from the elegance of Audrey Hepburn and the opulence of Marie Antoinette, this romantic collection blends bows, rosettes, ruffles, and lace to embody the charm of femininity.

LINEAE by Briana Balaoro

LINEAE

With the designer’s signature minimalist designs of her brand, Quinttys’ LINEAE uses clean lines and bold color contrasts to craft a sleek, sporty aesthetic elevated by optical sophistication.

THE MATRIARCHAL PARTY by Genevieve Gutierrez

THE MATRIARCHAL PARTY

Referencing Victorian tea parties and 1980s power dressing, this collection celebrates the evolution of feminism. Commanding silhouettes and feminine details emphasize how women have transformed spaces into havens of empowerment.

HANDURAW by Tisha Chavez

HANDURAW

Handuraw, meaning “to imagine”, intertwines the artistry of Bulacan’s Pabalat with oil paintings inspired by Mount Mayon. It celebrates folklore and romance, preserving cultural traditions through elegant designs.

PARALYSIS BY PERFECTION by Maxine Dela Cruz

PARALYSIS BY PERFECTIONISM

This collection confronts the creative struggles of perfectionism, transforming moments of hesitation into designs that celebrate the beauty of progress over unattainable ideals.

KUHA KULTURA by Maria Ingrid Del Rosario

KUHA KULTURA

Exploring the toxicity of crab mentality, Kuha Kultura visualizes human competitiveness through chaotic, layered designs that delve into societal behaviors fueled by envy and fear.

TAKLOB by John Lorenzo Estavillo

TAKLOB

Highlighting bamboo scaffolding’s role in construction, this collection honors its unsung hero: the construction worker. The designs evoke resilience and structural strength in homage to these builders.

PAS DE DEUX by Micah Gail Lao

PAS DE DEUX

Inspired by ballet’s elegance and strength, this collection defies gender norms with graceful designs that empower wearers to express their individuality unapologetically.

GEMINI by Ira Marie Co

GEMINI

Symbolizing duality, GEMINI incorporates laser-cut leather weaves in opposing patterns to represent the complexity of personality, as embodied by the twins Castor and Pollux.

PIECES OF A GIRL by Samantha Cabrera

PIECES OF A GIRL

PIECES OF A GIRL captures the chaotic beauty of teenage self-discovery. It challenges stereotypes, reflecting the complexity and resilience of young women navigating their formative years.

IRIDESCENT TEARS by Abby Acantilado

IRIDESCENT TEARS

Pearl-inspired designs celebrate imperfections and natural beauty. IRIDESCENT TEARS and its flowing fabrics emphasize movement and freedom, honoring individuality and resilience.

SERENDIPITY by Roselle Jean Sy

SERENDIPITY

Inspired by wildflowers, this collection balances delicate and rugged elements, echoing the resilience and untamed beauty of blooms that thrive against all odds.

Couture

The Couture collections offered a flamboyant display of artistry, with pieces reflecting a designer’s innermost desires and inspirations.

LOVE, H by Hannah Barrera

LOVE, H

A personal letter in the form of couture, this collection channels self-love through floral motifs, reminding the designer—and others—of their worth and artistic journey.

INTERLUDE by Ysavel Soriano

INTERLUDE

Blurring the lines of menswear, INTERLUDE celebrates individuality and romance, combining bold details with flexibility to embrace diverse expressions of masculinity.

RUNAWAY PRINCESS by Andrea Feliciano

RUNAWAY PRINCESS

Rejecting the notion of being “picture perfect” is the main goal of the collection. RUNAWAY PRINCESS juxtaposes soft pastels with tough leather and metal accents, tying together delicate femininity and defiant personality.

REYNA by Erin Dare Nicolas

REYNA

Transforming unconventional materials into royal masterpieces, REYNA reimagines the Manila Carnival Queen with Baroque influences, showcasing grandeur through unexpected mediums.

THREADS OF FATE by Kim Kathleen Chua

THREADS OF FATE

Inspired by tarot, this collection channels the mystical allure of fortune-telling, weaving self-discovery and destiny through intricate designs.

JOIE DE VIVRE by Krissie Teruel

JOIE DE VIVRE

With vibrant Moroccan patterns and hand-painted details, this collection exudes a zest for life, celebrating artistry and the positivity found in joyful expression.

RESONANCE by Pearle Abella

RESONANCE

Rooted in childhood memories of crafting doll clothes, RESONANCE transforms limited shapes and materials into imaginative designs that celebrate resourcefulness and playfulness.

FALL OF ICARUS by Janelle Clarise Chan

FALL OF ICARUS

Inspired by Icarus’ tale, this collection captures the duality of ambition and consequence, balancing ethereal ascent with grounded realities.

SANDS AND DUSK by Kyle Gomelet

SANDS AND DUSK

Drawing from sunsets and sand dunes, this collection merges natural beauty with spirited creativity, encouraging women to embrace rich colors and unique perspectives.

CRAZY IN LOVE by Ivee De Los Santos

CRAZY IN LOVE

Reinterpreting bridal fashion, CRAZY IN LOVE incorporates playful silhouettes inspired by childhood nostalgia, celebrating whimsical femininity and personal sensibilities.

DECIDIDO by Clarisse Sanchez

DECIDIDO

Blending Filipino tradition with Danish influences, DECIDIDO creates a fusion of the cultural heritage of two different worlds, but with contemporary aesthetics for a global look.

Conceptual

The conceptual collections leaned into the avant-garde, provoking thought and redefining expectations.

PARA KAY NANAY… by Lance Ernest Rubio

PARA KAY NANAY…

Dedicated to his mother, this collection narrates her life story through garments that symbolize resilience, fragility, and strength in the face of hardship.

TABI-TABI PO by Gemma Santos

TABI-TABI PO

This collection reclaims the narratives of Filipino mythological beings, reshaping them into symbols of cultural pride and relevance for a new generation.

DEFY THE STARS by Ann Nicole Hernandez

DEFY THE STARS

Combining cosplay with fashion, DEFY THE STARS draws inspiration from Filipino sci-fi characters, creating wearable fan art that makes use of local storytelling.

LAKBAY by Deil Valle

LAKBAY

Through the five stages of grief, LAKBAY explores heartbreak with symbolic designs that evoke emotional depth and catharsis.

IMAHINASYON SA BANYERA by Elijah Mananghaya

IMAHINASYON SA BANYERA

Inspired by childhood imagination, this collection uses everyday towels to depict stages of sexual awakening, celebrating self-discovery and acceptance.

SCARLET THOROUGHFARE by Rain Olais

SCARLET THOROUGHFARE

Merging anatomy with fashion, this collection celebrates the intricate beauty of the human body through designs inspired by muscles, veins, and respiratory systems.

DHARMA by Paulette Navera

DHARMA

Inspired by Aesop’s fable The Crow and the Snake, DHARMA examines humanity’s struggles with suffering and desire, exploring the pain and beauty of existence.

FOMOLUTION by Alexandra Zarate

FOMOLUTION

Combining “FOMO” and “evolution”, this collection captures the human need for connection and the fear of isolation in a fast-paced world, emphasizing the balance between belonging and individuality.

KASAKDALAN NG DAHAS AT LAMAN by Serena San Jose

KASAKDALAN NG DAHAS AT LAMAN

An ode to transsexuality through the lens of body horror and fashion, KASAKDALAN NG DAHAS AT LAMAN examines the physical and spiritual transformations of trans individuals.

BERDE NGA DUGO by Dolf Emil Aquio

BERDE NGA DUGO

Taking its name from “dugong berde”—a derogatory term once used to demean queer individuals—BERDE NGA DUGO confronts the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the struggles of trans women navigating public spaces.

Fashion’s Future, Thread by Thread

SINULID 2025 established the potential of fashion as a vehicle for ideas, culture, and transformation. Each thread, weaved with intention, became immersed in the resilience, discovery, and identity of the threaders. These graduating designers continue to construct a future in which fashion is no longer limited to cloth but also encompasses imagination and meaning.


Photos: DE LA SALLE – COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE, Photographed by BIMPOMAN

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