In an inspiring showcase of Filipino artistry and design, ternos from the Ternocon 3 selections were shown at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo S/S 2024 at the Shibuya Hikarie Hall A on August 30. The ternos were the designs of Ternocon 3 mentors Dennis Lustico, Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo, and Joey Samson, presented during the Bench Presents Ternocon segment.
Each designer’s collection showcased his individual interpretations of the balintawak, the iteration of the terno worn casually in the countryside, blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional Filipino elements. The collection was presented before an SRO crowd of young Tokyo fashionistas.
BENCH’s head Ben Chan at the Rakuten Tokyo red carpet (Photo by Kim Montes)
Dennis Lustico’s ternos were inspired by nature, including the coconut trees the rural countryside is known for. Lustico also showcased barong for women that incorporated the pañuelo (fichu). Lustico featured jewelry pieces by Arnel Papa and Adante Layesa.
Dennis Lustico’s ‘barong’ for women, incorporating the ‘panuelo’ (fichu) (Photo by Kim Montes)
Dennis Lustico’s ‘camisa’ with hand-embroidered sun patterns (Photo by Kim Montes)
Following Lustico’s presentation was Joey Samson’s poignant collection inspired by Jose Rizal’s writings. Samson demonstrated his ingenious fusion of elements from traditional menswear (such as barong, camisa, Western suit) and womenswear (like pañuelo, alampay, tapis, enaguas, etc.). The somber tone of the collection, which was dominated by a palette of ecru, black, and white, was enhanced by a soundscape curated by Melvin Mojica. Samson’s presentation was also accentuated by the use of antique jewelry from Unang Panahon and escapularios by Bordados de Manila.
Joey Samson’s traditional menswear (Photo by Kim Montes)
Joey Samson’s palette of ecru, black, and white (Photo by Kim Montes)
Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo celebrated maximalism, multiculturalism, kitsch, and camp. Pinoy pop music by the Aegis band blasted in the hall, while models, with mics in hand lipsynced.
Chito Vijandre/Ricky Toledo’s maximalist ternos paraded to Pinoy pop music by the Aegis band. (Photo by Kim Montes)
Chito Vijandre/Ricky Toledo’s maximalism, multiculturalism, kitsch, and camp (Photo by Kim Montes)
The Bench presents Ternocon at Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week was a reaffirmation of Bench’s commitment to promote Philippine design and culture on a global platform. In highlighting Philippine garments, Filipino identity is defined and acknowledged before the world.
Top model Joan Bitangcol backstage during Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week (Photo by Kim Montes)
