The country’s most anticipated fashion event returns this October with a bold new identity. Formerly known as BYS Fashion Week, the rebranded Manila Fashion Week (MNLFW) aims to elevate Filipino fashion to global prominence while remaining deeply rooted in local creativity and culture.
Running from October 16 to 19, 2025, at SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, MNLFW marks a new chapter for the Philippine fashion scene — one that aligns the country with international fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, New York, and Tokyo.
At its media launch held last September 25, MNLFW founder and celebrity stylist John Lozano shared the motivation behind the rebrand, describing it as a “power move” to give Filipino designers a world-class stage.
“Fashion Week is all over the world, and it has always centered on commerce. If you go back to the core of what a Fashion Week is supposed to be, it’s really for designers to sell their clothes, to show their clients what they can do,” Lozano explained.
“Ultimately, the goal is for MNL Fashion Week to be an event that the region, if not the world, will look forward to. But for now, we just want it to be a celebration of the best in Filipino fashion.”
He added that the rebranding reflects his long-term vision for the Philippines to take its rightful place among global fashion centers.
“There’s so much talent in the country but not a lot of avenues to showcase them properly. We hope MNLFW can be that platform for Filipino designers and brands to show the world their story and what they can offer,” Lozano said.
This year’s lineup boasts an exciting mix of icons and rising stars: Andrea Tetangco, Don’t Blame The Kids (DBTK), Chris Nick, Viña Romero, OXGN, Íñigo, Randolf, and Viktor.
The shows will be staged across SM Aura’s Sky Park and Samsung Hall, offering guests a seamless, immersive fashion experience that merges streetwear, couture, and conceptual artistry.
Lozano emphasized that designers were handpicked through a careful selection process led by his team.
“We deliberate and discuss who really deserves the spot we’re giving. The lineup this year is very strong, and I can’t wait for the country to see what they have to offer,” he said.
More than just a name change, the transformation from BYS Fashion Week to Manila Fashion Week signifies a strategic expansion — from being a platform for avant-garde runway shows to becoming a complete ecosystem where Filipino fashion can flourish, locally and internationally.
“Fashion is more than just fabric,” Lozano reflected. “It combines identity, history, and creativity. The world needs to see that the Philippines is not just a place of coconut trees and sand. Fashion is here — and it’s thriving.”
Manila Fashion Week 2025 is powered by Ploom and presented in partnership with BYS, SM Aura, Deoproce, Bioten, Nustar, DOST-PTRI, Nutrifizz, Sula, Spacey, and KMC Solutions. (with reports from Aldrine Benitez)
