In a landmark feature, Vogue Philippines’ September 2025 issue celebrates 200 creatives who shaped the local fashion and design landscape in the past three decades. Among them, 12 visionaries from SoFA Design Institute—mentors, faculty, and alumni—stand proud, representing the school’s legacy of creativity, innovation, and cultural relevance.
From redefining heritage in modern design to elevating Filipino artistry on the global stage, these SoFA icons embody the institute’s mission of shaping not just skills, but also voices that matter in the creative industry.
The Mentors Who Inspire
Amina Aranaz-Alunaz
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The Bag Icon with Legacy in Her Hands
SoFA co-founder and celebrated designer behind ARANÁZ, Ms. Aranaz-Alunan continues her family’s craftsmanship legacy while nurturing new creatives. From model to master’s degree holder in Fashion Accessories Design, she has carved her path as both designer and educator.
Byron Velasquez
The Face of Beauty Education
One of the country’s most sought-after makeup artists, Byron shares his artistry with SoFA students while maintaining his place at the forefront of the industry. His inclusion in Vogue is proof that passion and mentorship can go hand in hand.
Migs Alcid
Designing Spaces, Designing Lives
An advocate of interiors that balance heritage and modernity, Migs is the creative force behind Studio Tatin and One Hectare. His belief in contextual, culturally-rooted design continues to shape the way Filipinos experience space.
Bea Constantino
Styling Stories, Stitching Heritage
Through her studio Süg, Bea transforms Mindanaoan narratives into modern style statements. A fashion stylist and mentor, she empowers students to embrace purpose-driven design that tells stories worth remembering.
Bobby Carlos
Beyond Beauty, Toward Innovation
As a SoFA faculty member, Bobby is known for makeup artistry but his ventures—The Muse Project PH and Witches Blend PH—prove his talent extends into fashion experimentation and sustainable lifestyle solutions.
The Alumni Who Lead the Future
Gabbie Sarenas
Heritage in Every Stitch
Known for romantic, Filipino statement wear, Gabbie has become a household name in fashion. Her works continue to serve as a love letter to the Filipino identity.
Chris Nick Delos Reyes
The Suit Specialist
A bold menswear designer and SoFA graduate in Fashion Design and Merchandising, He built Chris Nick into a label synonymous with sleek tailoring and modern statement suits.
Vania Romoff
The Bridal Visionary
Bringing timeless romance to Filipino weddings, Ms. Vania creates gowns that empower women to define femininity in their own terms. Her brand has become a modern bridal institution.
Leby Le Moria
Texture as a Language
With signature layered ridges and voluminous silhouettes, Leby has carved her own avant-garde identity in fashion. Her work is a tactile expression of storytelling.
Krizia Jimenez
Details Make the Statement
Blurring the line between fashion and accessories, Krizia crafts thoughtful, avant-garde pieces that remind us that the details often define the whole.
Nicolo Perez
Dreamer of Organic Modernity
Founder of Nicolo, he explores patterns, textures, and motifs—such as waves and butterflies—creating pieces that feel both familiar and fantastical, most evident in his collection Daydreamer.
Jilliane Santos
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Repurposing with Purpose
Through her brand Palengke, Jilliane transforms discarded and overlooked materials into bold fashion statements, echoing the vibrancy and grit of Filipino marketplaces.
A Testament to SoFA’s Legacy
With 12 creatives gracing Vogue’s definitive list, SoFA Design Institute proves once again why it stands as a leading incubator of design talent in the Philippines. From classrooms to the pages of Vogue, these names show that SoFA nurtures not just careers, but icons who will continue shaping the industry for decades to come. #SoFADesignInstitute #VogueSep2025
