Cover Scenes backstage at Bench Fashion Week spring/summer 2025 (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Scenes backstage at Bench Fashion Week spring/summer 2025 (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
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The latest instalment of Bench Fashion Week showcased luminous summer styles and exceptional Filipino craftsmanship
The runway has once again been drawn up on the basement floor of Bench Tower, and this time around, it is doused in cerulean lights moments before the show begins, recalling sunny days spent beachside. Over the weekend, Bench Fashion Week (BFW) spring/summer 2025 presented a lineup that was vibrant, inventive, and striking—words evocative of the season and of today’s local style scene, too.
The first two days of BFW were headlined by the sought-after labels of three Filipino designers: Ria Bolivar’s Reveri, Roko Arceo’s Maligaya, and Furne One’s Amato. Also showcased were the newest selections from Suyen Corporation’s roster of local and international brands, namely Bench Club, Human, La Vie en Rose, and Urban Revivo.
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While inspiring, such a display was just what we’ve come to expect from a household name so devoted to celebrating and cultivating local talent. It was evident with every collection to grace the runway that this was a well-curated event laden with heartfelt purpose and care, a significant marker of Filipino fashion’s exciting next chapter. Tatler recaps the show below:
Day 1
Above Ladies in fun, flirty emsembles from la Vie en Rose (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Above Urban Revivo's breezy selection ran the gamut from casual everyday wear to elevated ensembles for special occasions (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Ladies in fun, flirty emsembles from la Vie en Rose (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
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For BFW’s opening act, la Vie en Rose, the famous Canadian lingerie, sleepwear, and swimwear brand, transported viewers’ minds to their next coastal holiday at once. With vivid hues, fun prints, and comfortable, figure-flattering silhouettes, its latest swimwear collection comes just in time for the hot weather the country is braving at the moment—an invitation to seize the summer with genuine joy and confidence.
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Urban Revivo follows along that trail of messaging with a bit of contrast. The international fashion brand presented versatile staples in light tones, soft textures, and the perfect balance of elegance and ease. With each look, it was easy to envision how they might transition effortlessly from day to night, city to coast, and everything in between.
Above Human’s edgy and playful streetwear receives whimsical treatment from Filipino artist Vico Cham (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Above The Humankind x Vico Cham collection features hand-painted pieces (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Human’s edgy and playful streetwear receives whimsical treatment from Filipino artist Vico Cham (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
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The energy on the runway turned playful once more with “A Mind Like A Garden”, the collaborative effort between local streetwear brand Human and award-winning visual artist Vico Cham. Bright and imaginative depictions of Cham’s signature subjects—flowers, faces, and fishes—delightfully married with the apparel’s edgy, youthful styles, bringing to mind a whimsical wonderland and celebrating the joy of creativity at its purest expression.
Tatler was happy to chat with the accomplished painter and illustrator right before the show, during which he expressed his excitement over people’s reactions and over being the first creative on the autism spectrum to work with Human. The jackets he’d hand-painted with different kinds of flowers were definitely a highlight.
Above Reveri by Ria Bolivar debuted 16 looks that evoke the beauty of slow, gentle summers (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Above Ria Bolivar with Ben Chan (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Reveri by Ria Bolivar debuted 16 looks that evoke the beauty of slow, gentle summers (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
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And then it was time for Reveri, model Ria Bolivar’s passion project that evolved from a simple hobby into a coveted, slow-fashion label in the span of four years. Bolivar’s debut on the runway is a deeply personal story; with each handcrafted look, she paints a memory of quiet summers spent on a farm, where days feel slower, more authentic, and unpretentious.
The looks are bold, with wild textures and floral trimmings, but the colours are sun-washed and earthy—soothing to the eye and seemingly tender to the touch. The model-designer penned a heartfelt note on social media, thanking all those who’ve been instrumental in her journey, including Ben Chan, fashion show director Robby Carmona, and her crocheters. “Without you all, Reveri wouldn’t exist,” she wrote.
Above Roko Arceo and Maligaya's latest collection features repurposed fabrics and linens that have been dyed in various colours (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Above Originally a stylist, Maligaya founder-designer Roko Arceo established the brand roughly a year and a half ago (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Roko Arceo and Maligaya's latest collection features repurposed fabrics and linens that have been dyed in various colours (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
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Day one wrapped with Maligaya founder and designer Roko Arceo’s “Maligayang Mundo”, an envisioned universe with optimism, sustainability, and community as its core tenets. In a conversation with Tatler some hours before the show, he describes the collection as him “seeing everyone in Maligaya” and talks about wanting to move away from the perception that Filipiniana attire is confined to more formal settings only. “I want Filipino clothes to be worn every day,” he says.
Showcasing pieces that spark joy and vivacity, “Maligayang Mundo” features repurposed linens and fabrics that have been dyed in vibrant hues and adorned with eye-catching tropical motifs like fruits and palm trees. From elevated resort wear to stunning crocheted gowns, including a bridal look, it was an excellent finale to the first day’s presentations.
Day 2
Above Dubai's “King of Couture”, Furne One of Amato Couture, is known for infusing dramatic silhouettes and ornamentation into his creations
Above Furne One, the world-renowned Filipino talent behind Amato Couture, walks down the runway after unveiling his new collection (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Dubai's “King of Couture”, Furne One of Amato Couture, is known for infusing dramatic silhouettes and ornamentation into his creations
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Though its roster was shorter, the second day delivered a punch of equal magnitude, stirring awe among all who were watching. The evening was off to a powerful start thanks to Furne One, the globally accomplished and celebrated Filipino fashion designer behind Amato. Marking his return to the Philippine runway and his new project, Amato Cebu, Dubai’s “King of Couture” presents his evocative, avant-garde collection titled “Birds of Prey”.
Rendered with his signature flair, the looks in the series are dramatic and ethereal, telling the story of “a bird shedding old feathers to soar anew”. Inspired by the designer’s poignant homecoming, the collection symbolises resilience, reinvention, and how home, no matter how far we travel, is where the heart takes flight.
Above From varsity jackets to tees and polos, Bench Club presented fits with a back-to-school vibe (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
Above Bench Club’s lineup blends timeless style with youthful flair (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
From varsity jackets to tees and polos, Bench Club presented fits with a back-to-school vibe (Photo: Courtesy of Bench)
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What followed was a burst of lighter, more youthful energy courtesy of Bench Club. Drawing from the dynamic charm of campus life, the show-ender featured cool, preppy staples that perfectly captured that back-to-school excitement after a fun summer.
And with that, another BFW has come and gone, leaving with us the season’s warmth and zero doubt about the boundless creativity of Filipino talent.
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Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
