Asia’s Most Stylish 2025: meet the Filipino fashion icons of elegance, heritage and reinvention

Style, for her, must also serve something bigger than the person wearing it. “It means you have a good heart because you support sustainable brands, artisans and communities,” she says. Each collection involves the community that makes it—the tailors and artisans whose families the brand supports through its work. In her pop-ups and retail spaces, she highlights their skill and the collaborative process that defines the label.

The act of dressing, she believes, affects more than the surface. “Fashion is therapeutic. It gives happy, good energies when done correctly,” she says. It is an art that influences how one moves through a day. Her advice to those who want to align their style with purpose is simple and free of prescriptions: “choose what works for you”. It is an ethos that has guided her through modelling, photography and design and one that directs her work today.

From scarves that preserve a piece of the past to silhouettes that encourage reinvention, Bitagcol is creating fashion that lingers long after a season ends. Her work stands as proof that clothes can hold history, meaning and artistry all at once, and that the most memorable style comes from staying true to one’s vision.

There are women whose style announces itself, and there are those whose presence defines the room long before they speak. Charmaine Lagman belongs to the latter.

Her approach to dressing has been shaped by experience and a clear discipline, an instinct that comes not from fashion rules but from an awareness of how clothes can steady the way you move through the world. Over the years, she has gravitated towards clean lines, structured silhouettes and a palette that is strong without being loud. Each piece she chooses is measured, refined and deliberate, designed to bring out a sense of confidence and clarity.

“My style balances subtle power with refined precision,” she says, and there is no better way to describe the way she carries herself. It is an aesthetic that has been honed through life, shaped by understanding what feels right rather than by what is expected. Fashion for her is a language—one that allows her to establish tone and presence before a single word is spoken.

While she keeps an eye on current trends, her choices are not dictated by them. She mixes what is modern with what is enduring, filtering every influence through a strong sense of self. “I love Valentino for evening gowns—they fit my body perfectly and feel timeless. When I’m in the mood for something bold and different, I go for Rick Owens. If I want something loud, colourful and fun, it’s Dolce&Gabbana,” she shares. “For a young and flirty vibe, Reformation is a favourite—something I picked up from my daughters. And when I feel a little moody and raw, I always turn to McQueen.”

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This ability to shift and adapt while staying true to herself comes through most clearly in the way she tells stories through her wardrobe. One of her most meaningful pieces is a silver and gold gown by Monique Lhuillier, created for her 25th wedding anniversary with husband Mike. The metallic tones honour the years that have passed and the years to come; the soft transparency of the fabric speaks to the honesty and depth that have defined her marriage. “The fabric shimmers in silver and gold—silver to honour 25 years of love, and gold to symbolise the next 25 to come.”

Her Filipino heritage also informs her philosophy, shaping an appreciation for grace, structure and purpose. She admires the strength of the women who came before her, women who understood that how you present yourself carries meaning. “There’s always a sense of respect, elegance and pride in how I present myself—whether in tradition or modern form.” 

Lagman’s idea of style with purpose is direct and unsentimental. “Style is how I present myself to the world— intentional, composed and confident. Purpose is the reason behind it. I don’t dress to look good—I dress to reflect who I am, what I stand for and where I’m going.”

She believes in dressing with intention rather than impulse, a conviction that extends to her support for sustainability. A decade ago, she shifted away from fast fashion and now invests in fewer pieces made to last, buying items that can be reworn, restyled and eventually passed down. She has come to value clothing not for its novelty but for its permanence and its ability to carry stories from one generation to the next.

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Her philosophy extends beyond style. Lagman champions several advocacies, but education is a cause she has long supported, most recently through TWB – Together We Build, a foundation co-founded by her daughter Anya Lagman in partnership with the family’s construction company, MC Geometric Proportions (MCGP). TWB supports scholars and, soon, underprivileged musicians, combining access to education with opportunities for self-expression. Lagman also serves on the board of PPOSI, which sustains the work of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, continuing her commitment to arts and culture.

For Lagman, style is not a display but an alignment—a way to prepare for the challenges ahead and to signal exactly who you are. It is not an affectation but an anchor.

Some legacies are inherited; others are built. Atasha Muhlach has grown up in a world that has always been watching her, yet she has chosen to meet that gaze on her terms. Today, as an actor, singer, model and TV host, she belongs to a generation determined to define itself by substance as much as presence—a rare combination in an age of instant impressions.

Fashion, she says, became her compass. “My style is sophisticated yet minimalist, defined by statement basics and silhouettes with a modern edge,” she explains. “I’ve learnt to experiment, to mix and match, to stay open to every possibility.”

This is not a style built on trends. It is one informed by intuition. She admits she looks at what the fashion world is doing, but she never follows it blindly. “I do get inspiration from different fashion icons and trends,” she says. “However, I like to mix things up and put my personal touch on it.” Her choices reflect a broader awareness: that clothing can be culture, that fashion can be an expression of values. Muhlach has become an advocate for Filipino talent, choosing to wear homegrown designers like Michael Cinco, Michael Leyva, Rajo Laurel, Carl Jan Cruz and Martin Bautista both at home and on global stages.

When she was introduced to the world at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, she deliberately chose to showcase Filipino craftsmanship and the talents of local designers. “I applaud the incredible detail and level of craftsmanship that local designers incorporate into their pieces—something that truly deserves commendation as it reflects the passion, dedication and hard work of many Filipinos,” she says. “Style with purpose”, she adds, “is not just about whether the outfit or style looks good. It’s styling yourself to reflect your identity, empower or inspire confidence within your day. It goes beyond just the aesthetic and is a creative expression.”

Her touchstone pieces are surprisingly understated: a watch and a bracelet she gifted herself when she graduated from college. “They’re simple, but I wear them all the time,” she says. “More than the fashion element of the watch and the bracelet itself, when I look at it, there’s a sentimental value behind it which makes it even more special.”

That sense of intention extends to how she consumes fashion. She has little interest in disposable style. “I’ve always believed in quality over quantity,” she says. “I always tend to go for a classic timeless piece that suits my personality and style, but at the same time something that I love.”

This clarity extends beyond her wardrobe. It also shapes how she chooses to use her voice. Education, she says, is an advocacy she espouses. “Everyone has the right to proper learning and the resources needed to build a brighter future. Education empowers people to make informed decisions and open doors to better opportunities.”

Muhlach speaks with the perspective of someone who has grown up in the spotlight and yet refuses to be defined by it. There is a discipline to how she carries herself, a refusal to let noise dictate direction. It is this balance between heritage and discovery, intention and expression that makes her approach to style compelling.

She tells those looking to align fashion with purpose: “Don’t be afraid to explore and try new looks, always be adventurous and open to new and great designs, but always be true to your core,” she says. “Whenever you wear something that reflects your character and personal identity, you’ll shine more, allowing you to show authenticity in your day-to-day life, possibly inspiring those around you. You don’t need to always follow trends to feel purposeful. Listen to your intuition and enjoy the process of fashion.”

A flicker of light, a poised pose and from the frame emerges the pull of intention—such is the visual range of BJ Pascual. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Cavite, he refined his craft at New York’s Parsons, the Fashion Institute of Technology and the International Centre of Photography. Then he became one of Manila’s most iconic photographers.

Known for capturing emotion through light—soft focus, backlit drama, minimalist elegance—he prioritises the subject’s essence. Off camera, his own style is as distinctive as his images: “Experimental, cute, popstar,” he says. Fashion, for Pascual, is play—sometimes to embody a pop star, other days to feel six-foot-three in his heels. He experiments with trends that resonate, favouring Prada for art, Jean Paul Gaultier for queer iconography and Martin Margiela for thinking outside the box.

Advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community is at the heart of his purpose, from dressing queer with pride to supporting Home for the Golden Gays. “Wear what tells your truth,” he says. “As queer people, self-expression is both survival and celebration.”

Read more: 11 transgender icons in the fashion industry

Better known to audiences as an actress, Max Collins has also taken on the roles of mother and entrepreneur, founding ventures that span wellness, hospitality and lifestyle. Her style mirrors this breadth: softly confident, polished yet unforced. “I see fashion as storytelling without words. It lets me express the different phases I’m in—a mother, an actress and an entrepreneur. It’s how I honour each version of myself.” She gravitates toward brands like Saint Laurent and Givenchy for their balance of edge and timelessness.

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Being Filipina-American has given her a love of modern minimalism and an appreciation for traditional Filipino textures, from piña fabric to handcrafted local pieces. She champions Filipino designers, artists and artisans, seeing style as a platform for cultural pride. For Collins, fashion is an act of alignment. “When your style reflects your values, your energy becomes magnetic,” she says.

Beyond the headlines as Miss Universe Philippines 2023, Michelle Marquez Dee has built a life that fuses advocacy, artistry and authenticity—evidence that beauty, when paired with purpose, can change the conversation entirely. Raised between Utah and Manila, Dee has been shaped as a woman who is both grounded and global, qualities that now inform her work and her style.

Fashion, for her, came later in life; but when it did, it became a form of self-possession, seen in her looks: solihiya-patterned or Whang-Od-inspired national costumes, gowns by Mark Bumgarner and Francis Libiran and her favourite “true crown”— a cowboy hat.

As ambassador of the Autism Society Philippines, she champions the National Autism Care Bill. She also serves with the Philippine Red Cross, Inner Peace Foundation and the Philippine Air Force. “Start with why,” she says. “When your reason is stronger than your wardrobe, everything else falls into place.”

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Fashion wasn’t always part of Rogelio Tabuzo’s plan. But fate, with a bit of help from his grandson, had other ideas. Known as Lolo Drip, the 73-year-old Filipino grandfather became an online sensation after sharing a photo of himself in streetwear in 2020. What started as a playful post turned into a full-blown modelling career, as his natural charisma, joyful energy and expressive personal style caught the eye of local and international brands alike.

“I never expected people would appreciate what I was doing,” Lolo Drip says. “I just kept going because I was happy—and people responded to that.” With his grandson Wami Tabuzo as creative collaborator and stylist, Lolo Drip leans into the world of streetwear and viral fashion moments while keeping it real. Whether it’s oversized hoodies, bold accessories or coordinating sets, he wears everything with disarming ease and signature flair.

For Lolo Drip, fashion is self-expression and identity. It’s also about staying active, consistent and joyful in what he does. “Style with purpose means embracing who you are—at any age,” he says. His rise is proof that you’re never too old to experiment, evolve or inspire.

Now with nearly a million followers across platforms, brand campaigns under his belt and a story that’s reached beyond Philippine borders, Lolo Drip isn’t just a fashion figure. He’s a movement that champions confidence, creativity and living life in full colour and angst.

Her commanding presence in the media is matched only by her executive resolve. Since joining GMA’s board in 2000 and rising to senior vice president and president of GMA Films, Annette Gozon Valdes has charted the network’s most pivotal transformation — steering hit series like Encantadia and Maria Clara at Ibarra into the global spotlight.

Read more: Annette Gozon Valdes reflects on GMA’s 75 meaningful years

A Harvard-trained lawyer and former tax law professor, she ensures women’s roles go beyond old stereotypes. This vision shapes GMA Kapuso Foundation’s efforts, including rebuilding schools in conflict-affected Marawi. Her style is subtle, focused on legacy than flash. She commands presence without overshadowing others.

Decorated with numerous awards, her leadership is intelligent, values-driven and proudly Filipino. Her style reflects strength and her influence leaves a lasting impact.

There is a rhythm to how Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali move. It can be seen on screen, where they are known for their chemistry, and off screen, where their combined styles—distinct yet complementary—have become a signature.

Madrid’s wardrobe speaks of precision and purpose, chosen not for flash but for their ability to hold meaning. “I don’t chase trends,” he says. “I wear what feels real, with pride and presence.” Umali, by contrast, is an explorer. Her style reshapes itself with ease: oversized leather shirts with boots, sculpted tailoring or sheer romantic silhouettes. “Style is a silent language,” she says. “It’s how I tell my story.”

Together, they project a style that is polished without being predictable. They have a shared respect for Filipino creativity, often championing homegrown designers and artisans. Beyond fashion, they lend their time and platform to advocate for children and women, as well as to recognise stunt performers through AKSYON, a project close to both their hearts.

A woman who has left her mark on both the Filipino palate and its cultural landscape, Fe Rodriguez co-founded Burger Machine. This pioneering fast-food concept changed accessibility and became an indelible part of Philippine street culture through the Eighties and Nineties. But beyond this entrepreneurial legacy lies a woman of subtle influence in the world of style.

Her approach to fashion, like her approach to life, is deliberate and enduring. “I seek out the special and unique, particularly with my accessories,” she says. History, travel and culture have always influenced her aesthetic, as have the stylish women who came before her. Over the years, her wardrobe has grown into a collection of rare, handcrafted pieces: antique jewellery, shawls and handbags, as well as formal gowns by the late Pepito Albert, with whom she enjoyed a 30-year creative relationship. Today, many of her day-to-day clothes are made by her daughter, Stacy, turning style into an intimate family affair.

Rooted in Filipino culture, Rodriguez champions the preservation of traditional crafts, supporting artisans, entrepreneurs and cultural institutions. Elegant and assured, she embodies the kind of style that, like her legacy, is built to last: cherished pieces worn, re-worn and handed down, each carrying with it a story.

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