The SoFA runway featured the minds of young designers, showing their distinct takes on the world and its possibilities
There is a language to fashion. SoFA Design Institute’s Graduation Fashion Show FOREGATHER unveiled a new wave of Filipino design talent. Held at The Fifth at Rockwell, the event saw 20 graduates showcase their distinctive design languages, revealing visions that reflect their personal journeys and unique sensibilities. The exhibit, captured through the lens of artist Bimpoman, gave life to the stories behind each designer’s work—of influences, inspirations, and dreams in the making. It was a prelude to the runway show, creating a conversation among the designers’ divergent yet interconnected visions.
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SoFA Founder Amina Aranáz-Alunan spoke to the collective spirit of the night. “At SoFA, design is a serious endeavor,” she remarked. “Tonight, we witness the culmination of years of hard work—years spent embracing creativity, innovation, and boundless passion.” In FOREGATHER, the diversity of design languages was clear. It wasn’t about one dominant narrative, but a collective of voices that shaped the night. From experimental textures to refined tailoring, the collections were proof of a generation unafraid to speak their truths and challenge what fashion can be.
The fashion show was a dynamic exchange of ideas, where 20 designers from SoFA’s 4-Year and 2-Year Fashion Design and Marketing programs presented collections that embodied their unique perspectives. Guided by The SoFA Method, which merges technical skill with introspection, each designer translated ambition, identity, and experimentation into a distinct visual language—demonstrating that fashion is as much about self-discovery as it is about design.
4-Year Program
By Virtue Of by Christine Tiu
Christine Tiu explores the transformative journey from pain to renewal in By Virtue Of, a six-piece collection that reflects hardship and betrayal giving way to strength and self-discovery. Tiu captures how challenges leave behind not just scars but also cultivate beauty and resilience.
Lepidoptera by Diana Lei Abanto
Diana Lei Abanto takes inspiration from the fleeting existence of moths in Lepidoptera, using their brief but purposeful lives as a metaphor for self-discovery. She urges embracing imperfections and seizing every opportunity, reminding us that nobody is perfect and life should be lived without hesitation.
Incandescence by Nikka Bañaga
Nikka Bañaga highlights the art of romanticizing life in Incandescence, a collection centered on living genuinely and embracing each moment. She celebrates solitude, confidence, and self-discovery, weaving together delicate yet bold energy that inspires authenticity and personal growth.
Flowers in Our Autumn Wind by Gianne Belle Pabrura
Gianne Belle Pabrura channels personal grief into Flowers in our Autumn Wind, reflecting on the uncertainty of life and acceptance through the lens of losing her mother.
Melody of Wales by Rogeline Uchi
Rogeline Uchi likens music to an unstoppable force in Melody of Waves, describing it as the rhythm that fuels her creativity. She draws from the emotions music evokes, crafting designs meant to be timeless—pieces that spark joy across generations and rekindle a love for life.
Unfiltered Confidence by Clyemae Suarez
Clyemae Suarez presents Unfiltered Confidence, a fearless expression of self-discovery, individuality, and sensuality. The collection embraces an fierce approach to personal style.
The Playroom by Catherine Nicole Sta. Ana
Catherine Nicole Sta. Ana turns introspection into fashion with The Playroom, a collection shaped by the chaos of a restless mind. Sta. Ana acknowledges the struggle of navigating a fast-paced world, transforming distractions into creative strength.
3:00 by Hanz Nabong
Hanz Nabong finds inspiration in moments of solitude with 3:00, a collection shaped by the weight of life’s pressures, personal growth, and relationships. With a subdued color palette, Nabong explores the uncertainty of the future and the introspective journey that comes with it.
Oubaitori by Sophia Reganit
Sophia Reganit translates her own creative evolution into Oubaitori, a collection that chronicles her path as a designer. She recalls struggling with self-doubt and isolation, only to find confidence in her craft through persistence and self-belief.
From Fragments to Form: The Art of Rebirth by Jilliane Theresa Louise Santos
Jilliane Theresa Louise Santos delves into themes of transformation and renewal in From Fragments to Form: The Art of Rebirth. She reimagines loss as an opportunity for reinvention, weaving together elements that symbolize resilience and the artistry of Filipino craftsmanship.
In Tact by Veda Galagnara
Veda Galagnara explores the tension between passion and restraint in In Tact, balancing raw emotion with structured silhouettes. The collection is a tribute to the power of balance—where vulnerability and strength coexist, and creativity thrives within precision.
2-Year Program
Lost Romance by Dexter Leil Monette Deala
Dexter Leil Monette Deala tells a story of heartbreak and resilience in Lost Romance, following a naïve woman who falls for a charming stranger, loses herself, and ultimately emerges unbreakable, vowing never to be belittled again.
In Divine Timing by Gio Leandro Nogales
Gio Leandro Nogales looked to The Divine Comedy for In Divine Timing, a collection that mirrors Dante Alighieri’s epic tale of love and sacrifice. Through design, Nogales explores the journey of two souls navigating unrequited love in pursuit of union and solace.
Untethered Cosmos by Krystel Ayao
Krystel Ayao embraces infinite possibilities in Untethered Cosmos, crafting a collection that defies boundaries and constraints, opening the doors to unrestricted creativity.
Passerby by Kimberly Rios
Kimberly Rios draws parallels between life’s constant motion and the Italo disco scene in Passerby. Inspired by the fluidity of waves, the collection captures fleeting encounters and the ever-changing rhythm of experience.
FDL (Fashion Deprived by Liberty) by Joshua Miguel Baysa
Joshua Miguel Baysa takes a subversive approach with FDL (Fashion Deprived of Liberty), showcasing it as messy, honest, and streetwear-driven. He sees fashion as a reflection of reality, infusing his designs with humor in the best way possible.
Ready Sat Gal by Neil Angielo Mindanao
Neil Angielo Mindanao taps into childhood nostalgia in Ready Set Gal, inspired by the toy cars his parents used to buy him. Through this collection, he revisits the sense of individuality and self-discovery he experienced while hiding his true identity as a child.
Homg District by Selina Tiu
Selina Tiu envisions a cyber battlefield in Homg District, where fighters embark on a journey of intense competition, battling through legions of opponents to claim the title of the fiercest on the island.
Paracosm by Kyla Jin Gregorio
Kyla Jin Gregorio embraces childhood imagination in Paracosm, an ode to the younger version of herself who clung to dreams despite life’s limitations. She sees this collection as a portal to a world of play, where creativity thrives even in uncertainty.
Transcendental Decay by Mara Sofia Imperial
Mara Sofia Imperial redefines beauty in Transcendental Decay, crafting a world where people embrace imperfections and the passage of time. She challenges society’s obsession with the new and the pristine, celebrating the poetry found in aging and the unexpected beauty of decay.
FOREGATHER was a vivid showcase of what happens when creative languages collide—something bigger than any single vision. The event showed everyone these future leaders’ worlds, as stories collide and dreams take shape. Fashion’s language is clear.
Photos: SOFA DESIGN INSTITUTE
