A prelude to the fashion designer’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2025 Last week, on our way to Jor-el Espina’s private fashion show, associate fashion editor John Legaspi and I discussed how this Ilonggo fashion designer has made his mark in Philippine fashion. My very first memory of Espina was his Bomberong jackets in 2017 at the Arte Fino Fair. These bomber jacket-barong tagalog hybrids left a lasting impression on me, as they did on many other shoppers.
“It was so inspiring to know that people were responding to what I was doing,” Espina shares, revealing that he had been producing these back in Iloilo since 2013. A few years later, he introduced another signature style that has become a staple in many closets. Espina presented a fun and playful way to wear the saya and tapis by incorporating layers of light, local weaves.
Embroidered details and three-dimensional floral appliqués added texture and depth, proving that creativity has no limits. Jor-el began designing in 2004, marking his 20th year in the fashion industry in 2025. "Next year, when I celebrate 20 years, it will also coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Art Deco movement.
The ready-to-wear (RTW) pieces I’m showcasing will be available at the upcoming ArteFino Festival 2024, but the Art Deco theme will continue to inspire the runway pieces I'm preparing for May next year. Many of the garments reflect my evolution and the various adaptations I’ve integrated into my work over the years,”.