"I’m truly honoured to be the sole representative of the country and showcase an outfit inspired by our culture. It’s such an amazing opportunity to be a part of this exhibit with fantastic talents from other countries," she says.

A digital rendering of the Philippine sunrise cast on seascape was used as fabric for the cascading ruffled skirt topped with pineapple barong with Swarovski crystals detailing. The ensemble is completed with a traditional salakot.

It's evident that her inspiration, "our colourful culture and sunrise," and our beautiful sceneries that, for her, evoked hope and positivity.

When asked how to stand out in the international fashion arena, Happy said, "The designer should focus on who they are and where they came from, whenever I showcase my creations overseas, I make sure I use materials that are handcrafted from the Philippines and create outfits that are also inspired by our culture. That’s what makes us different and stand out from other countries, we’re Filipinos and we should be proud."

She added, "We do have the calibre to create beautiful pieces—the talent, the materials but [it] would be great if artisans and designers get [more] support."

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