12 Filipino brands presented at Fondazione Sozzani in Milan

Fondazione Sozzani, in partnership with The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), Philippines Consulate General in Milan, Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), and LIT Fashion Consultancy, presents the second edition of FASHIONPhilippines Milan.

The brand development and exhibition program places Filipino fashion front and center on the international stage. The session culminates in a three-day exhibition at Fondazione Sozzani in Milan on September, via Tazzoli 3, from September 22 to 24, 2026, during Milan Fashion Week S/S 2027. The showcase features curated works by 12 Filipino brands, bringing the country’s vibrant creativity to one of the world’s most important fashion capitals.

The brands are Adam Pereyra Jewelry, Bagasáo, Calli, Ched Studio, Idyllic Summers, Iñigo, Jun Escario, Orias, Palengke, Renz Reyes, Viña Romero, and Ziv Rei Alexi.

Ahead of the Milan exhibition, the participants also attended intensive brand development sessions with a distinguished eight-member panel of global fashion leaders. The line-up, led by Sara Sozzani Maino, creative director of Fondazione Sozzani, included Silvia Bertocchi, head of cultural programs of Fondazione Sozzani; Veronica Bertozzi, project director for HIMco; Helena Boissonnas, expert on buying and sourcing for department store at Le Bon Marché–Paris; Matteo del Cherico, founder and owner of MDC Showroom; Marina Lyritzi, wholesale manager and brand consultant; Maria Narduzzi, strategic advisor for fashion brands; Tetta Ortiz-Matera, founder of LIT Fashion Consultancy; and Riccardo Terzo, stylist, fashion editor, consultant, and lecturer.

CITEM executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo shared that the first edition highlighted both the strengths of Filipino fashion and the work needed to prepare brands for international growth. “Our experience from the inaugural run affirmed the global potential of Filipino fashion, while also showing the importance of strengthening brands’ readiness to compete internationally,” Ocampo said. “For 2026, we are developing a more strategic program that gives equal importance to creativity, business development, and long-term market access.”

For Philippine Fashion Coalition president Jackie C. Aquino, one of the clearest takeaways was the need to treat fashion not only as a creative field, but also as a business. “The business dimension of fashion is paramount,” Aquino said, noting that brands must be prepared operationally—not just creatively—to succeed internationally.

Organizers placed greater focus on selecting brands with both strong design identities and the capacity to scale, supported by closer collaboration between industry and government partners. The broader goal is to help position Filipino fashion as a globally competitive industry by 2035, supported by innovation, textile development, and cohesive industry support.

For 2026, the program introduces more targeted development sessions based on feedback from mentors and participating brands. LIT Fashion Consultancy’s Tetta Ortiz-Matera emphasized the importance of understanding how international markets operate. “Local brands must understand that doing business internationally requires a different mindset—from wholesale pricing and delivery timelines to collection structure and buyer engagement,” she said.

New modules cover pricing, line sheet development, market positioning, and international selling strategies. The program is also strengthening its sales and showroom component to help participating brands connect more directly with buyers and distribution channels abroad.

This approach is already showing results. Following the past edition, Two Filipino brands secured representation with two separate Paris-based showrooms, an important step toward integrating Filipino fashion into the global market. For participating designers, the experience offered more than visibility. It also challenged them to rethink how they present and grow their brands internationally.

The opening of the showcase and viewing was held last Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Remaining exhibit hours are Wednesday, September 23, 10: 30 am to 7 pm, and Thursday September 24, 10:30 am to 5 pm.

Fondazione Sozzani is a cultural institution established in Milan by Carla Sozzani in 2016 to promote photography, culture, fashion, and the arts. The Foundation has taken over the patronage of the Galleria Carla Sozzani and continues the important public function that the gallery has performed since 1990. Sara Sozzani Maino has been curating and coordinating projects dedicated to education, responsibility, and the new generation of creatives.