How designer Michael Leyva and artist Ronald Ventura turned fine arts into haute couture

In the 61st edition of Biennale Arte, Ventura presented an exhibit titled LUNA that compares the maritime histories of Venice and the artist’s native Malabon, both of which are connected by their environmental and climate vulnerabilities. Symbolic of the way the moon influences the rhythm of the tides, the artist explores how reclamation, rising sea levels, and changing climate cycles affect coastal human settlements through paintings, sculptures and installations. The LUNA exhibit serves as an immersive sanctuary, prompting viewers to consider environmental shifts while highlighting the shared resilience of coastal communities separated by oceans yet united by shared ecological threats.

More often, visual arts and fashion are seen as separate forms; rarely do we see works in which both distinct languages merge to create an aesthetic that transcends structure and the canvas. So, against the backdrop of Ventura’s LUNA, the duo created a dynamic dialogue between the two mediums. The collection featured sculptural black gowns, ethereal translucent drapery, flowing ocean-hued gowns and tailored outerwear featuring prints of Ventura’s motif work, emerging as living extensions of the exhibited art collection. By blurring the lines between structural garment construction and expressive visual storytelling, each ensemble redefined wearable art.

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Key garments within the showcase translate Ventura’s canvases and textures directly onto fabric—including an oversized, floor-length coat featuring hand-painted designs executed by Ventura himself, as well as a fully textured, hand-beaded pearl mini-Filipiniana dress that pays homage to Philippine craft and marine life. Other ensemble highlights include multi-layered petal skirts with pearl detailing, hand-painted bodices, and structured strip bodices with wide-leg trousers. Each garment stands as a testament to the versatility of Philippine haute couture, showcasing meticulous handwork, structural audacity and a deep reverence for regional traditions.

For both Leyva and Ventura, the project was rooted in mutual creative respect and a shared desire to push their respective mediums beyond traditional boundaries. Staging this artistic cross-section in Venice during one of the international art world’s most significant gatherings allowed the duo to spotlight the depth and sophistication of contemporary Philippine craftsmanship. By putting Filipino fashion designers and visual artists side by side on such an influential platform, the showcase affirmed that creative boundaries exist only to be challenged and redrawn.

At Docks Cantieri Cucchini, the powerful fusion of Leyva’s sartorial mastery and Ventura’s vision ensured that the Philippine artistic narrative resonated deeply across the global stage.

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