Backstage at BLANC: The 2025 SoFa Graduation Show

Yen Kyla explores the idea of being and becoming, articulated through a range of silhouettes—from voluminous outerwear to column dresses and a compact swing mini. Her pieces rely on painstaking construction, assembling handcut leather and sheer cut-offs into asymmetric, puzzle-like panels.

Gab Landicho centers his collection on “emotional abandonment and transformation through pain.” Rendered in an achromatic palette punctuated by small flashes of red and silver, the lineup favors body-conscious shapes: teacup dresses, gathered column gowns, skin-revealing cut-outs, and assertive high necklines, peppered with minute crystal beading.

Summer Villaluz positions her work as a critique of overconsumption—an incisive look at a world that commodifies authenticity. Her pieces deliver a gritty take on glamour, uniting custom graphic prints with romantic tulle ruffles and a sweeping A-line look.

Titled “Umbra Mea,” Latin for “my shadow,” Ren Delgado’s collection unfolds in a series of noir ensembles. Utilitarian elements—precise cuts, cord detailing, and sharp tailoring—anchor this introspective study. As she notes, it reflects “the inner struggle between the life once lived and the life surrendered, where joy and loss blur into one.”

Joesua Daoang’s “Under Tension” examines “the deconstruction of the weave” as an act of release. Warp threading, frayed fringes, and layered blue-patterned textiles shape a series of tactile yet sharply tailored outfits.

Deni Garcia interprets chaos through touch rather than color. Plush padding creates volume, softened by gauzy fabrics that introduce a sense of ease. The collection—titled “e·qui·lib·ri·um”—finds its balance in pillow-like textures and relaxed, unfussy shapes.

Designer Kim Tang Sangil showcases her command of fabric manipulation in “The Escapism of Elyse.” Down the runway, models are enveloped in a cloud of wave-like, sculptural forms that ripple with an almost aqueous fluidity. Sweeping black gowns mimic the movement of tides, while pale, billowing pieces curl and unfurl like airy sea foam.

With “Vertigo,” Sofie Cristobal examines bodily fragility through texture and form. “This is vulnerability turned into strength; skin turned into art,” she explains. The collection layers ruffles, bubble hems, and tulle in stark reds, blacks, and whites to create a visceral mix of grit and softness.

Clarice Dela Cruz of Studio Chiyo channels playfulness in “Pixelated Dreams,” drawing inspiration from video games and anime. The pieces feature vivid color combinations, pink-and-green striping, and chunky knits or faux-fur textures that embrace an unabashed sense of child-like wonder.

Royce Bautista’s “Earthly Bodies” imagines forms shaped by the planet’s shifting contours. Skin-baring cuts, light knits, and airy fabrics appear in tones of beige, white, and moss, resulting in a grounded yet expressive set.

Designer Venice Collera’s “Let Nature Take Its Course” leans into organic references. Chunky wooden beads, handwoven textiles, rice grain–inspired detailing, and frayed edges reminiscent of cultivated fields root the collection in agricultural imagery.

Kevin Dela Cruz’s introspective “LETTER” collection revolves around communicating with one’s past self—“Words that would have been uttered to different selves of yesterday, not as a warning but as a request to keep going.” He opts for understated yet precise construction, favoring subtle details over attention-seeking shapes.

Hannah Ballesteros Tapawan’s “A/RID OF” prioritizes movement and ease. Designed to sit naturally on the body, the garments evoke a sense of calm while maintaining its expressive forms.

Reese Capistrano’s “Reflecta” is a harmony of structured and fluid forms, in a bid to articulate self-acceptance and an emancipation from doubt. Twisting fabrics, generous volume, and airy textiles form an emotional terrain of tension and softness.

RR N. Catalan’s “LANG’GA” tells a tender coming-of-age story through neutrals—cream, tan, and brown—punctuated by earthy orange and subdued reds. Textured materials and Filipino construction techniques meet contemporary silhouettes such as layered wrap skirts, wide-brim hats, and a mix of structured and relaxed outerwear.

“一二三 (yi er san)” by Janelle Hung is a tribute to the intersection of roots and culture across three generations. The designs feature intricate detailing, an array of textures, and a color palette centered around earthy tones like creams, browns, and reddish hues. Standout pieces include a tiered woven dress, a structured ensemble with wide sleeves and a high neck, and a sheer piece with delicate motifs.

Vianca Escalante's "Vertebrae" collection explores the concept of "vulnerability in motion" through themes of "darkness and form, the anatomy of pain and honesty". The collection is dominated by its monochromatic palette, characterized by floor-length gowns with varied textures and structural elements that visually suggest the human anatomy or spine.

The "M.E." collection by Emir Loresto is a celebration of music and identity. The designs, rendered in a bold palette of neon green and black, use manipulation techniques like bubbling and scrunching on light-catching materials such as duchess satin.

Designer Angela Quizon enters the world of sculptural whimsy. Silhouettes swell into buoyant, bowl-shaped skirts, while pleated panels mimic unfurling petals and windswept forms. Translucent structures sharply frame the torso, contrasted by fluid satin pieces that ripple down the body. A palette of soft blush, fresh lime, vivid green, and electric violet keeps the lineup playful yet controlled.