More than just a celebration of style, Vogue Threads is a meditation on Filipino heritage, creativity, and the inexorable power of fashion to bridge cultures. In a nation bound by spirituality and ingenuity, miniatures occupy a significant space in Filipino culture. In many Filipino homes, miniature figures are often objects of veneration, serving as symbols of faith, ancestry, or religious devotion.
They also play an important educational role beyond their spiritual significance, aiding in the visualization and testing of designs while also preserving history and culture through scaled representations of important landmarks or traditional objects. This significance extends to the world of fashion. Traditionally conceptual blueprints of a designer’s vision, the maquette’s small scale demands an extraordinary level of craftsmanship: every fold, pleat, and stitch is meticulously executed, as these miniatures must represent the integrity of the final piece.
For some designers, the maquette acts as a testing ground for ideas, a place where they can explore proportions, silhouettes, and details without the restrictions that come with larger garments. Yet in Vogue Threads, these miniatures are more than just preparatory tools. As the excitement for Vogue Philippines’ second anniversary fills the air, the Threads exhibit is set to make its debut at the Palais Galliera on September 25th, featuring the work of 25 Filipino designers as a thoughtful exploration of Filipino artistry and heritage.
Co-chaired by Gino Gonzales and fashion consultant Jojie Lloren, the exhibit brings Filipino craftsmanship to the global stage, presenting an intricate collection of designer maquettes: miniature dress forms that bridge the gap between creative vision and full-scale execution. Set within the Palais Galliera , also known as “The Fashion Museum,” the exhibit is positioned in the middle of Paris Fashion Week. Participating designers include both established and emerging names in fashion, ensuring a diversity of voices.
“We selected designers that have showcased craftsmanship and design sensibilities that could be represented on the global stage,” Vogue Philippines art director Jann Pascua explained. The designers were free to interpret the brief in their own design codes and themes but were advised to utilize natural fibers and locally sourced materials endemic to the Philippines. The earth tones that dominated the resulting color palette echo the country’s natural landscapes, grounding the designs in archipelagic inspiration while also aligning with the global movement toward sustainability.
The maquettes are arranged within the Palais according to shared techniques, forms, and silhouettes, allowing guests to appreciate both the individuality of each piece and the overarching themes that tie the exhibit together. This arrangement encourages viewers to move through the exhibit with a sense of discovery, tracing the connections between the designers’ works while also understanding the unique voice of each artist. Following last year’s anniversary gala, the exhibition at Vogue Threads continues to center community and culture in fashion.
“With Vogue Philippines, we always aim to surprise and delight audiences,” Suki Salvador, president of Mega Global Licensing Inc., shared. “For Filipinos who are familiar with our work and for international guests, we strive to make it feel fresh and contemporary.
” The exhibit represents key qualities that drive the Filipino fashion industry’s creative process. With the designer maquettes, designers demonstrate resourcefulness and ingenuity through using locally sourced materials to transform traditional elements into contemporary designs. Decisiveness is evident in every detail, where bold choices shape powerful fashion statements that challenge norms.
Most of all, a permeating Filipino thoughtfulness reflects the deep care taken in honoring cultural heritage while using fashion to address modern issues. Through these qualities, Vogue Threads showcases Filipino fashion’s ability to engage and shape the global fashion narrative..
