Last Saturday night, April 26, I had the opportunity to witness the inaugural edition of Sketchpad – The Heritage, a new fashion series held at the Heritage Hotel Manila. The series is produced by actor and pioneering male model Bong Regala, with the Heritage Hotel Manila as a key collaborator. The event was directed by the esteemed Ogee Atos, a respected figure in Philippine fashion.
The premiere episode of Sketchpad featured eight Filipino designers, each presenting a curated collection of at least 10 pieces that captivated the standing-room-only crowd at the Heritage ballroom.
From left: Sketchpad 1 designers Gil Granado, Paolo Blanco, Russ Cuevas, Thelma Abalos, Adam Balasa, Danika A. Dano, Rowell Panlilio, and Chiko Estivas.
Russ Cuevas opened the show, followed by Gil Granado, Danika A. Dano, Thelma Abalos, Paulo Blanco, Adam Balasa, Rowell Panlilio and Chiko Estiva. Estiva anchored the show with an impressive collection of couture pieces — elegant, opulent, and impeccably constructed.
Fashion shows allow designers to communicate their creative visions and strengthen their brand identities. Each designer has a story to tell, and the runway is their platform to speak.
Last Saturday, I wasn’t presenting a collection; instead, I joined the curious crowd as an observer. Fashion presentations are exhilarating but stressful — so this time, I embraced trend spotting.
Trend spotting is a serious endeavor for fashion enthusiasts. It involves identifying emerging elements — silhouettes, lengths, colors and embellishments — that repeatedly appear on the runway. These signals help forecast the upcoming season’s dominant styles.
Here are the key trends I observed last Saturday. Whether influenced by global fashion currents or seasonal shifts, each designer offered their own unique interpretation.
Printed Delights
The runway came alive with printed fabrics in various forms. While many collections leaned on solid colors, some designers boldly embraced prints—perhaps a nod to the summer season.
The return of the terno
Designers acknowledged a growing appetite for cultural identity, bringing the terno — widely regarded as the unofficial national dress of the Philippines — back to the spotlight. It appeared alongside Western-inspired silhouettes, merging tradition and modernity.
Double-breasted suits
Menswear also made a statement, with double-breasted suits stepping confidently onto the runway. These were elevated with metallic buttons, beaded florets and generous crystal embellishments.
Ruffles and romance
Ruffles ruled the night. Layers upon layers of light, flowing fabrics cascaded down the runway, transforming each model into a vision of soft romance.
Shining, shimmering splendor
It was impossible to overlook the sparkling spectacle of beadwork and crystals. These heavily embellished creations reflected not only light, but the immense labor and craftsmanship poured into every piece.
The audience gave a well-deserved round of applause for all the participating designers. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each one. Special thanks also to The Heritage Hotel Manila and Bong Regala for providing a platform for Filipino creatives. The local fashion industry needs more advocates like you.
I can’t wait for the next installment in this series. Until then — stay fabulous, stay in fashion, and support Philippine design.
Bisou, bisou! — Dong Omaga-Diaz
