In the continuing quest to open doors for Filipino talent in the international fashion scene, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), together with Tetta Ortiz-Matera of LIT Fashion Consultancy, join forces to launch the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025.
Designed to educate, expose, and embolden Filipino designers and local brands, the initiative features a three-day exhibition in Milan from September 23 to 25. To be presented are curated works by 10 chosen Filipino designers and fashion brands who qualify for the program.
The exhibit will be held at the prestigious Fondazione Sozzani, established in 2016 by Carla Sozzani. Dedicated to promoting culture through photography, fashion, fine arts, and applied arts, the foundation curates and coordinates projects focused on education, responsibility, and the next generation of creative artists.
Prior to the exhibition, the selected Filipino designers and brands will undergo a series of up-close mentoring sessions with a highly distinguished seven-member panel led by Fondazione Sozzani creative director and Milan Fashion Week international new talent and brand ambassador Sara Sozzani-Maino.
The lineup include RG showroom founder Riccardo Grass, designer Niccolo Pasqualetti, fashion stylist and consultant Riccardo Terzo, digital content creator Ryle Tuvierra, women’s lifestyle and beauty buyer for Gaudenzi boutique Giulia Demitri, and retail expert and buying consultant with Le Bon Marchè Helena Boissonnas.
The mentors will be hands-on in overseeing portfolio reviews, collection previews, and will be spending one-on-one time with each designer or brand.
“The FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025 reflects our unwavering commitment to elevating and propelling Filipino design onto the global stage. Through this initiative, we are not only showcasing our country’s immense design talent but also broadening economic opportunities for our designers and local brands in the highly competitive international market,” DTI Secretary Cris Roque said.
PFC Chairperson Carissa Cruz-Evangelista expressed overwhelming appreciation on the local and international support the project has been receiving. She said, “By engaging with top-tier industry professionals and participating in major fashion events, our designers gain exposure, credibility, and access to opportunities that can define their careers, as well as hone the future direction of our Philippine design industry in our journey to carving our unique Filipino stamp in the international market.”
Aspiring designers can submit their applications until June 14, 2025, through the official FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program website at https://fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan
Interested designers and brands must be a member of the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), have a registered business in the Philippines for at least two years, be a Filipino national with collections produced in the Philippines, and launched at least two collections in the past two years and be able to present a 15–20-piece collection during the Milan exhibition.
