What Went Down at BENCH Fashion Week S/S 2026 Day 1

Steph Verano takes flight with a new collection. Prompted by a fascination with aviator Fred Noonan, who served as Amelia Earhart’s navigator during her infamous 1937 expedition, “Airhart” captures ideas of lightness, uncertainty, and redemption.

The show opened with a poetic display of a young individual thrust into an unknown landscape, a spotlight exacerbating their isolation. Models then entered the runway in tactile looks, with eyelets, panels, and ruching implying a story of movement and displacement. Organic textiles were met with sculptural patterns, an intentional juxtaposition that aimed to communicate a farewell from one’s old form.

“It was very moving. I got the vibe na gusto nya i-deliver,” fellow designer Vin Orias expressed of the show. “It was serene, emotional, and it hit some of my triggers from being a kid.”

True to the collection’s roots, aviator hats and workwear boots were prominent elements of the show. Some models clutched purses made to resemble envelopes, presumably holding letters of words unsaid. “Airhart” proves to be a natural succession for Steph, following her “Cast” collection which focused on maritime imagery and fisherfolk wear.

As the designer continues to traverse the elements with her intuitive style and multi-textile approach, one can also expect to bear witness to more stories left untold.

Karl Nadales of nadalē meditates on the in-between with his new collection titled “Meet Me at Shinjuku Station.” Located in Tokyo’s business district, the show’s namesake is known as the world’s busiest railway station, where countless souls intersect on the daily. In this never-ending blur, Karl finds inspiration for pieces that seemingly change as they’re presented.

Intentionally raw hemlines, drooping fabrics, and asymmetrical cuts defined the presentation, as evidenced by neutral-hued suits, tunic-like frocks, and wide-legged trousers. Models also donned frizzy hair pieces and pale lips, which conveyed the undone quality that Karl aimed to showcase.

There’s a process of becoming translated through these seemingly unfinished details. A harrowing soundtrack set the scene for such a pensive but profound show.

“Knowing Karl as a person, the collection he presented made sense. He's such an intellectual person and the references he used weren't too on-the-nose. It was really personal to him,” designer Renz Reyes tells Preview. “I love how quiet but impactful his show was.”

Nostalgic and intentional, Peter Gagula of Peach Garde transports audiences to the rice fields of his childhood with “Paddy’strian.” With roots in Capiz, he translates his mastery of tailoring through garments that symbolize the different characters he grew up around.

Incorporating natural textiles into day-to-day pieces such as bomber jackets, suits, and vests, the designer bridges together rural roots with contemporary styles. Even shoes and clutches are accentuated with flouncy strips of translucent piña fabric, instantly transforming them into vignettes of Peach’s younger days. The designer also implemented his pleating technique to elevate dark-washed denim pieces, which allowed for floral or technicolor detailing that were appreciated as garments moved.

In combining minimalist silhouettes with maximalist detailing, Peach caters to a myriad of clientele who look for both aspects when it comes to dressing up. “You can see the authenticity and the innovation. It's really me!” veteran stylist Monika Abad gushes. Actress Kira Balinger echoes the sentiment, saying: “I really love the geometric shapes he used for the skirts and the tops. I saw a lot of pieces that I would personally wear.”

In the ready-to-wear side of things, a selection of retail favorites also showcased their offerings for the warmer months. La Vie En Rose displayed sets that any bikini babe would instantly fall in love with, as well as oversized raffia totes that can be worthy companions on any excursion.

Meanwhile, Cotton On leaned into ‘90s and 2000s-coded streetwear as models stomped the catwalk in oversized jerseys, baggy pants, and baby tees. A Monchhichi collaboration seems to also be hitting store racks soon.

Urban Revivo designed with a cosmopolitan lifestyle in mind, introducing flowy dresses, tailored shorts, and familiarly patterned button-downs to one’s Manila-ready wardrobe. Rounding out the segment was Korean label 8seconds, which took on a casual, collegiate energy as models stepped out as if they were going from one side of campus to the next.