Jaggy Glarino collection
Joey Samson collection
The Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo S/S 2027 has just witnessed a parade of Philippine designs that fused contemporary Filipino aesthetic, craftsmanship, Philippine heritage and culture. Presented Sept. 1, 2026, Threads of Dreams is BENCH’s project of several years, in line with its dogged commitment and goal to present Philippine design and culture on the global stage.
Threads of Dreams at Shibuya Hikarie Hall A brought on the runway the collections of Rhett Eala, Joey Samson and Jaggy Glarino, which were first presented in BENCH Fashion Week Manila in May 2026 and later exhibited at Metropolitan Museum of Manila. In each collection, these three designers, who are known for both custom-made clothes and ready-to-wear, deliver a visual narrative that evokes something of the Filipino, be it in their own personal lives or from history. They use Philippine material and craftsmanship as the media to tell their stories.
Rhett Eala, Jaggy Glarino, Joey Samson
BENCH chairman Ben Chan (third from right) at opening of Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, with Rhett Eala, Joey Samson, Jaggy Glarino and guests
The country’s global lifestyle and fashion brand, BENCH has long championed the Filipino design talent by giving it a platform beyond the Philippines. Threads of Dreams is a dynamic continuation of this commitment. In Tokyo, the fashion capital known for innovation and diversity, the global audience got a closer look at Philippine design today—contemporary, modern, out of the box, diverse, yet unique in its point of view and collective memory.
At the heart of the presentation was the belief that Filipino design deserves the world stage while remaining rooted to its origins. Through indigenous materials, cultural narratives, traditional techniques, and contemporary construction, the three designers demonstrated how Philippine fashion continues to evolve while preserving the stories and craftsmanship that make it uniquely Filipino.
The Fashion Week presentation also celebrated the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations, adding cultural dimension to the milestone. Threads of Dreams became platform connecting Filipino creativity to an international fashion community.
With the support of the Japan Fashion Week Organization, the Embassy of the Philippines in Japan, and The Japan Foundation Manila, BENCH brought the three master designers to the Tokyo runway, each presenting a distinct interpretation of Filipino identity and artistry:
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- Rhett Eala backstage
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- Rhett Eala on runway
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- Rhett Eala collection
Rhett Eala ‘Inherited Stories’
Eala used vintage Japanese and Philippine textiles referencing family history and heirlooms. His garments— tactile, wearable, inspired by history—showed both meticulous construction and restraint hand.
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- Jaggy Glarino backstage
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- Jaggy Glarino on runway
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- Jaggy Glarino collection
Jaggy Glarino’s ‘Imin’
Drawing from the rich cultural heritage of Mindanao, he used sculptural silhouettes with the solihiya weaving craft. Glarino’s way with volume, texture, and structure is rooted on ancestral identity—now a source of inspiration in defining a new modern Filipino visual language.
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- Joey Samson backstage
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- Joey Samson on the runway
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- Joey Samson collection
Joey Samson ‘Ang Pagniniig: Una Bulaqueña at O Sei San’
Samson’s collection opened with a cinematic ceremonial parade of models with white umbrellas inspired by an archival photo of a Shinto tradition. His interpretation replaced the traditional white kimono with his signature long-sleeved shirts, each individually stitched with the model’s name.
He used deconstruction—his trademark in Philippine contemporary design—done in layering and sharp tailoring, effortlessly dissolving the boundary between menswear and womenswear, and transforming traditional Filipino and Japanese elements into new narratives
Together, the three collections presented different facets of Philippine creativity, from inherited memories and indigenous craftsmanship to historical imagination and experimental construction. Their work reflected the breadth of Filipino fashion and its ability to draw from the past while looking toward the future.
By bringing Threads of Dreams to Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, BENCH again provided an international platform for Filipino designers and their stories. The presentation served as a powerful continuation of the brand’s commitment to nurturing local talent and introducing Philippine creativity to audiences around the world.
Threads of Dreams was a celebration of what Filipino design is: deeply rooted in heritage, shaped by individual stories, and confident enough to belong on the global stage.
Production by ShigeKaneko Co, Ltd
PR by White Bear Industries
Hair and Makeup by Shisheido
Special Thanks to The Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo.
