Cover ‘Sinulid: Threaded Experience’ paves the way for Filipino fashion (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
‘Sinulid: Threaded Experience’ paves the way for Filipino fashion (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
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The graduates of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising programme showcased their final pieces at ‘Sinulid: Threaded Experience’
The kids are alright, and back for another year of Sinulid, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Fashion and Merchandising programme’s culminating showcase. This year’s iteration, dubbed Sinulid: Threaded Experience, was held on the 12th floor of Benilde’s campus. A makeshift runway set-up brought together a supportive audience including established fashion designers, students’ families, and alumni. Thirty-four graduating students offered a glimpse into their vision, showcasing two looks each from their thesis collections.
Dominating themes included fantasy, surrealism, and the taboo, alongside explorations of human experiences and the seemingly mundane—rural Filipino life, family, tradition, and upbringing. Many collections delved into deeply personal narratives, tackling themes of queerness, femininity, and identity, with aesthetics ranging from contemporary and deconstructive to baroque and ethereal.
More from Tatler: The kids are alright: ‘Sinulid’ sets the standard for the future of Filipino fashion
Above A look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Krissie Teruel (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
Above A look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Hannah Barrera (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
A look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Krissie Teruel (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
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Despite a rather nondescript production—highlighted by a robotic overhead narrator waxing poetic about “the threads that bind us together” (non-verbatim)—the actual looks delivered. Similar to last year’s iteration, the students’ collections triumphed in their originality. Astute, showing intention and vision, and effectively showcasing how they may contribute to the local style landscape. Echoing my sentiments in last year’s write-up, it’s safe to say that the future of Filipino fashion is in capable hands.
The show’s duration and number of participants were significantly reduced compared to the previous event. Last year’s nearly three-hour show featured 62 students, while this time, 34 students presented their designs across four sections: Awakening, Discovery, Reminiscent, and the Becoming. This format allowed for greater attention to each piece.
See also: Take a look at these 5 renowned fashion schools and programmes in the Philippines
Above Looks by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Serena San Jose (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
Above Look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Alessandra Caamic (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
Looks by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Serena San Jose (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
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At the evening’s conclusion, three distinctions were awarded. Serena San Jose brought home the Fashion Innovation Award for her collection, KASAKDALAN ng dahas at laman, which explores the intersection between body horror and transsexuality. She achieved this through the use of kombucha leather in creating flesh-like textiles. “I wanted to reclaim society’s ‘ugly perspective’ towards trans bodies,” she explains. This approach is a pleasant surprise, showcasing her generation’s precociousness when it comes to experimenting with unconventional materials.
The Brand Concept Award was given to Alessandra Caamic for Balud, a genderfluid project dedicated to her love for the beach and inspired by her Cebuano identity. Vivid patterns, fabric manipulations, and a striking contrast of black on cream created a stunning sight to behold.
Tabi-tabi po by Gemma Santos, Emerging Creative Talent awardee, was inspired by tales of forgotten creatures of Filipino mythology. This manifested in cream-coloured swathes and ruffles of white fabric meant to resemble garlic peel, a plant traditionally used to ward off evil spirits. On the runway, a string of garlic attached to a belt swung demurely from the model’s hip.
Above A look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Gemma Santos (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
Above A look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Lance Rubio (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
A look by Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising student Gemma Santos (Photo: Courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
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Another highlight of the evening was Lance Rubio’s collection, Para kay Nanay. Bohemian, earthy and feminine, it was created as a sartorial ode to his mother. A look featuring a veiled lace cap and long-sleeved button-down shirt pays homage to the clothing she wears while working on their duck farm. His fabrics, dyed in mud, reference their family business making salted eggs. Natural crystals incorporated into his designs mimic the texture of rock salt. “Fashion is the best kind of storytelling platform,” he muses.
The sensation surrounding Sinulid lies in its very core, introducing fresh talent to the scene and letting emerging designers speak for themselves. Its participants have already contributed to the fashion landscape in some microcosmic sense or another, whether it’s under the apprenticeship of sought-after Manila couturiers or launching their own businesses. One alumna who presented her project last year is now an assistant designer to Michael Leyva, another was just announced as a semi-finalist at the 2025 Bench Design Awards. After graduation, without the reliance of a curriculum, guidelines and a rubric, they might just flourish even further.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
