“The overall theme of this year’s SoFA Graduation Show is ‘telling your story in the most creative way you can’—from something intangible inside of you and making it to something that is tangible. We want students to get inspiration within,” "explains Gabbie Sarenas, designer and one of the instructors for this year’s SoFA Design Institute graduating batch.
It was definitely a treat to guess and interpret what inner motivations stirred the creativity out of this year’s 22 graduating students, as they presented their six-piece collections at this year’s festival. Was it Juan Paolo’s desire to revive vintage alta moda that inspired his unconventional Filipiniana pieces? Was it Phuong Do’s restricted inhibitions breaking free through the technicolor blooms that sprouted out of her white canvasses? What secrets did Candice Arboleda keep hidden in her lineup of cocoon ballgowns? Does Fred Telarma’s red riding hoods express desire, anger, or a bloody rebellion from rules?
As these fashion aspirants leave the school setting and venture out into the brave new world of digital media, internet-bred design trends, and a more democratic fashion zeitgeist, their design motivations may take new, dramatic turns. But here’s hoping that they never forget what they learned in school: fashion may be an ever-evolving business, but nothing will ever stand up to a pure mastery of the craft.
View all the collections below:
April Toledo
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Candice Arboleda
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Carmina Bautista
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Chris Nick/Chris Delos Reyes
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Dominique Dy
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Esumsa
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Farah Zavala
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Fred Telarma
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
G. Gambaloza
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Ian Mercado
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Jekka Sison
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Jeremy Tan
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Jhaira Gonzales
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Juan Paolo/JP Francisco
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Katrina Doloricon
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Marvie Barillo
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Pamela Escalanda
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Phuong Do
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Raine Eugenio
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Josefina Sedayao
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Shark Tanael
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Shelvan Bollozos
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Trixie Platon
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Tyfanie Domingo
IMAGE Andrew Co
IMAGE Andrew Co
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
