Carl Jan Cruz

Carl Jan Cruz has garnered international attention as a fashion designer, having been included in Vogue Italia Talents 2018. It was his 2017 collection, in particular, that brought him into the limelight. Cruz presented his collection at Fashion Week showrooms in both Paris and Milan in 2017 and 2018, continuing his upward trajectory. His edgy and innovative creations are current and fresh—raw yet refined. Cruz also designs with his Filipino heritage in mind, developing a majority of his fabrics locally. He calls his work a collection of visual autobiographies that aim to analyse and unpack the past and the present.

Reflecting his brand’s ethos, his wardrobe is a colourful fusion of cultural pride and modern sensibilities. “My style is a reflection of the amazing mentors in my life,” he says. As a revered fashion designer, his philosophy translates to his works that often marry functional pieces with expressive touches. His signature pique fabric is breathable for warmer weather and lightweight enough for layering—crafted with Filipino in mind. “It just so happens that my identity is pretty layered, so the aesthetic is a compound of our collective identity as Filipinos. It’s a result of all the experience and the technicalities that I know.”