Subdued elegance—this perhaps best describes the work of designer Lyle Ibañez. That was why an overcast Friday morning was the perfect setting for TheDiarist.ph shoot of his newest collection that was presented recently in Harbin Fashion Week in China.
Black tulle cocoon dress; bejeweled dangle earrings, ac+632 By Firma; beige slingback pumps, Roger Vivier
The pieces: elegant black ensembles, some with pops of color and sparkling detailing. The muse for the shoot: former Miss World Philippines Krishnah Gravidez, who placed in the Top 8 in Miss World 2025 in India last May. Gravidez relinquished her Miss World Philippines crown a few days before our shoot, making this her first post-pageant project.
And as Gravidez closes this chapter in her life, what better way to kickstart a new one by having a shoot that is off-the-beaten-path pageantry?
Black silk taffeta corset poof dress, brass hoop earrings, Golden Monstera; choc buckle slingback pumps, Roger Vivier
Ibañez’s Harbin Fashion Week 2026 pieces were a perfect match to Gravidez’s style re-direction. “Restrained, romantic, and poetic is how I would describe my collection in Harbin Fashion Week,” Ibañez said—the opposite of the heavily beaded, sequined, and overly decorative gowns Gravidez was used to during her beauty queen days. “Life after pageantry is a lot more calm now,” she said.
“After years of dedicating myself to the pageant industry, I got used to living at a fast pace. Now that I’m in my off season, there’s a slight discomfort because my body isn’t moving the way it used to, after four years of non-stop hustle. But overall, I’m excited for what this year has in store. This season will require more consistency and patience, rather than the constant grind and continuous training that pageantry demanded. And I think I’m ready for that shift.”
Silver coated metal with faux pearl earring, ac+632 by Firma
Gravidez modeled four pieces from Ibañez’s 30-piece collection. The overall vibe is indeed more subdued. The collection was inspired by the merging of Chinese influences and Filipino culture, “a quiet dialogue between fashion, architecture, and material memory,” Ibañez said.
Piña calado cropped top with ostrich feather trims and black silk chiffon de cola skirt; solid brass “Kumanda” earrings, Golden Monstera
This was Ibañez’s second time in Harbin Fashion Week, the first time being May 2025. He said it has become a great platform for designers from different continents to showcase their works, visions, and ideas. It opened doors for future opportunities to be recognized and to collaborate with brands and manufacturers.
“It’s a seasonless collection,” Ibañez said. “I covered all seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.” He wanted to explore the balance between softness and structure. “I played with textures and techniques in crafting the details of each piece in the collection.”
Black layered tulle opera coat and black jersey dress; solid brass “Kumanda” statement earrings and “Buka” bangle, Golden Monstera
The clash of textures was also prominent in the clothes that used a lot of brocades, jacquards, various kinds of pure silk, and our very own indigenous fabrics: piña, abaca, cotton, and Philippine silks.
Ibañez recalled that Philippine fabrics became a big hit among the foreign designers and media after he explained what the fabrics were made of, and how they were produced. “It is something that they never heard of, and it gives me pride to show it in my collection. It is something deeply rooted in our heritage.”
Ibañez was also awarded one of the five Most Popular Designers out of the 37 participants.
