Cover A fashion model walks the runway at the Rocky Star Show at Arlettie on September 11, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Mark Gunter/Getty Images)
A fashion model walks the runway at the Rocky Star Show at Arlettie on September 11, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Mark Gunter/Getty Images)
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From Manhattan to Los Angeles, F/ROW’s latest showcases proved that Filipino creativity is making its mark not only on the runway, but behind the scenes of international fashion
Fashion has always been about movement. Beyond the sweep of a hemline or the rhythm of a runway, it thrives on the exchange of ideas across cultures and continents. At New York Fashion Week by F/ROW, that exchange took on a distinctly Filipino presence.
A Filipino-led team transformed Manhattan’s Arlettie showroom into a meeting point for designers from around the world, proving that the country’s creative influence stretches well beyond its own shores. In three years, F/ROW has become an increasingly international platform, with plans to expand to Milan and Paris next year.
While the spotlight naturally fell on the collections, the production itself was equally noteworthy. The showcase was mounted by Tagline 360, led by Jovy Rabelas, together with Errol Isip Productions, whose team oversaw the production of the international showcase.
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Above A model walks the runway at the Charles & Ron Show at Arlettie on September 10, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Mark Gunter/Getty Images)
A model walks the runway at the Charles & Ron Show at Arlettie on September 10, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Mark Gunter/Getty Images)
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On the runway, Malta’s acclaimed design duo Charles & Ron opened with a collection defined by vibrant colours and sculptural silhouettes. Known for dressing Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, the pair brought their signature Mediterranean aesthetic to New York.
India’s Rocky Star followed. Rich embellishments, fluid draping and couture craftsmanship defined the collection, while maintaining the modern polish that has made him a favourite of celebrities including Paris Hilton, Kylie Minogue, Megan Fox and Priyanka Chopra.
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Above A model walks the runway at the Charles & Ron Show at Arlettie on September 10, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Mark Gunter/Getty Images)
A model walks the runway at the Charles & Ron Show at Arlettie on September 10, 2025 in New York City (Photo: Mark Gunter/Getty Images)
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The emerging designers brought a different kind of energy. Project Runway alumni Darren Apolonio and Reynaldo Jose explored more experimental territory through sculptural silhouettes and conceptual tailoring. House of Jason and Jila Atelier leaned into refined craftsmanship and couture-inspired elegance, while Boof NYC and Degxnerate Youth injected the runway with streetwear influences, gender-fluid design and a growing commitment to sustainability.
Together, the collections felt like a conversation about where fashion is heading next.
That conversation did not end in New York. F/ROW continued its spring-summer 2026 programme at Los Angeles Fashion Week, carrying several New York favourites westward while adding more Filipino designers to the line-up. Acclaimed names Oliver Tolentino and Thai Nguyen joined House of Jason, Jila Atelier and Degxnerate Youth, alongside emerging local brands Tapis and Baag, further strengthening the Filipino presence across two of America's biggest fashion capitals.
Above With the visionaries behind F/ROW Fashion Week Errol Isip and Jovy Rabelas, with the designers redefining Mediterranean couture—Charles & Ron
Above Errol Isip and Jovy Rabelas with award-winning New York Fashion Week creator and executive director of Council of Fashion Designers of America, Fern Mallis; and acclaimed couture designer Rocky Star
With the visionaries behind F/ROW Fashion Week Errol Isip and Jovy Rabelas, with the designers redefining Mediterranean couture—Charles & Ron
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Behind both showcases was an equally compelling story about Filipino leadership. “Producing New York Fashion Week by F/ROW at Arlettie is more than just an event for us, it’s a statement of what Filipinos can achieve on the world stage,” said Jovy Rabelas, CEO and global president of The Tagline Group. “From production design to creative direction, we wanted to show that Filipino ingenuity can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best—not just in fashion, but in how we bring stories to life.”
With plans to expand to Milan and Paris next year, F/ROW is continuing to broaden its international reach. Its latest editions in New York and Los Angeles also highlighted the growing role of Filipino creatives—not only as designers, but as producers and organisers of international fashion events.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
