The future of Philippine fashion

Meet two young designers from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde who participated in “Face-Off: A Cut Above the Rest,” an event organized to showcase the design talents of students from four fashion and design schools.

Designer: Esme Palagnas

"I wanted to use a soft, flimsy fabric like chiffon in a way that it would appear structured and linear"

Twenty-two-year-old Esme Palagnas chose to work with chiffon to challenge herself. “I wanted to use a soft, flimsy fabric in a way that it would appear structured and linear,” she said.

Palagnas’ creation features several gray, baby pink and white tulle bias strips sewn individually, as well as large sleeves.

The look is reminiscent of the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon province.

Designer: Gavin Ruffy

Ruffy injected a sensual touch to an otherwise simple design.

Gavin Ruffy’s goal was to create a light, soft and wearable garment.

Veering away from his usual dark and heavy aesthetic, he injected a sensual touch to an otherwise simple design.

“I want the woman wearing my pieces to feel sexy,” he said.

Photography Gee Plamenco
Styling Luis Carlo San Juan
Makeup and Hairstyle Syd Helmsley
Model Sam Gomez of CalCarries