It took hardly a moment to say yes.
The invitation arrived simply, through a chat—yet it was impossible to decline.
It came from Edwin Ao, that remarkable designer from the Queen City of the South, who would present his latest collection on Day 1 of Bench Fashion Week, at The Space, Ayala One, Makati. How does one say no to a dear friend—an artist whose every creation is thoughtful, graceful, and crafted with brilliant hands and an even more brilliant mind?
Fresh from a week of fashion in Kuala Lumpur, I carried the joy and the lingering glow of our Philippine team’s success when I found myself at this sleek new events center on September 26. I was with my dear friend Ferdie Gaspi, now based in Palm Springs, California, who happened to be visiting Manila. Remarkably, we had stood together in KL as well—me leading the Philippine contingent, and Ferdie, ever generous, lending his steady support.
When we arrived, the lobby was full to the brim. Fashion’s most distinctive voices had gathered, each in their own striking ensemble. Manila truly has its own splendid version of the magic found in the world’s great style capitals. The air hummed with celebration, and the energy was utterly contagious.
And it came as no surprise at all to see so many dear friends from far and wide—I’m certain Edwin didn’t have the slightest trouble getting them to say yes! It felt like the loveliest reunion, truly. A gathering of kindred spirits, old and cherished friends, all bound together by one beautiful, glowing thing: our deep, shared passion for fashion.
Chlorophyll Hexagons and Modern Tailoring
We were still in the middle of happy, shared laughter when word came that the show was about to begin. We were ushered to our seats, and soon enough, the lights dimmed—and the magic unfolded.
Before Edwin’s moment, a few international brands took the stage, and the crowd was utterly captivated. Then came a wonderful showcase from promising young designers making their debut on this grand platform—fresh, vibrant, full of life! Fashion is so wonderfully alive and thriving in our beloved Philippines, and seeing them confirmed it: our future is bright, and the promise lives on!
And then, the stage was set for the grand finale—and how perfectly fitting it was! It was time for Edwin Ao to present his latest collection to an audience waiting with eager anticipation.
He calls it Chlorophyll Hexagons: Body in Impermanence—a stunning line of impeccably tailored pieces defined by bold, modern silhouettes and striking, thoughtful proportions. Edwin has always loved the elegance of neutrals, and here he chose a refined palette of grey, black, and white, gently warmed with touches of brown.
Textures, Tech, and Triumphant Applause
Youthful and dynamic as ever, layering takes center stage—layers of differing textures, materials, and shapes woven together so beautifully. What truly caught my eye were the most exquisite, unexpected details in his accessories and embellishments: computer circuits, conduits, arrays of buttons, and even photographs gathered from his travels and treasured curios—all artfully transferred onto fabric, creating statements that are truly forward-thinking and brilliantly beyond convention.
New proportions, innovative construction techniques—every piece is a masterpiece of bold, beautiful breakthroughs.
As the final looks glided down the runway, the crowd broke into delighted applause—but the real roar came when Edwin Ao stepped out to take his bow. The applause was heartfelt, earnest, and utterly sincere—you could feel how deeply he is loved and admired. Bravo, dearest Edwin! Once again, you have outdone yourself and never cease to amaze!
Bench Fashion Week has truly set the standard—it is the perfect stage, the very heartbeat of Philippine fashion. And bravo to you too, for giving our designers this wonderful platform where their fashion statements can be heard and their visions can be seen.
Until our next lovely fashion adventure… Bisou, bisou!
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