The Story Behind Felip’s Outfits for His SULFUR Concert

Last May 30, SB19’s Ken—who performs solo under the name Felip—brought fans together for an intimate live showcase held alongside the release of his latest track, SULFUR. Staged at Makati’s Shooting Gallery, the P-Pop performer delivered an immersive 90-minute set where he performed his solo material.

In many ways, the showcase revealed a different facet of Felip’s artistry. In an exclusive interview with Preview, his stylist and creative director Maverick Lacson shared the broader vision behind the event, which involved a deliberate departure from the polished "idol" image.

“I wanted the looks to be intentionally humanized na as if barkada mo lang si Felip at mag-jajam kayo together sa show. [It's] in contrast to his idol image because SULFUR was an intimate show for his FLEET, friends, curated guests and co-artists, people who truly know him, appreciate him and love him,” he explained.

The SULFUR campaign also marks Maverick’s first major project with Felip and his team. “Felip wanted me officially on board to be his creative director as he is now an independent artist,” he revealed.

Having been longtime friends and collaborators, Maverick approached the creative direction with a strong emphasis on storytelling. From the teasers to the event visuals, every element was designed to reflect Felip’s growth as an artist. To guide that narrative, the campaign revolved around three themes: his evolution from HUMAN to ROCKSTA, and ultimately to SUPERIOR.

“Just like hitting the road in SULFUR, Felip starts from stillness (HUMAN), to ignition (ROCKSTA) and to ascension (SUPERIOR),” Maverick explained. “We were also challenged to show a fresh side for FELIP... and I guess this campaign and direction was the way to do it.”

That storytelling naturally extended to his concert outfits. Throughout the showcase, Felip wore three distinct ensembles, each representing a different phase of the SULFUR narrative.

Ahead, Maverick breaks down the details behind every look and how each look came together.

The event had a “strictly black” dress code. Hence, for the opening look, Maverick saw an opportunity to make Felip stand out immediately by dressing him in an all-white ensemble.

“I wanted him to be established as the center of his FLEET (fans) and also to show something new—as black is mainly Felip’s color story,” he said.

Composed entirely of pieces from avant-garde designer houses, the outfit drew inspiration from the “emo Euro sleaze” aesthetic of the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Rooted in the gritty energy of the post-punk revival, the style became closely associated with the nightlife culture of the era, where sharp, structured tailoring collided with the glossy textures of European electronic clubwear. “[It was] an era where ‘fit checks originated, and it’s a pioneer of fashion to the youth,” Maverick noted.

As a subtle Easter egg, Maverick completed the look with a pair of white leather gloves from Prada. “Because the Prada triangle from the gloves is aligned with the SULFUR symbol,” he explained. In historical alchemy and natural philosophy, the symbol represents the element sulfur (🜍), one of the three primes in the Tria Prima, associated with the soul, combustion, and the fiery essence of matter.

Midway through the showcase, the atmosphere shifted into something darker and more intense. In contrast to the opening ensemble, Felip changed into black, his signature color.

According to Maverick, the outfit is a tribute to Felip’s emo phase during high school, while also reflecting the core of his identity as an artist. “[He is] a self-made bisdak artist from Lakewood, Zamboanga Del Sur. A cool outcast, a proud Bisaya, a rockstar,” he noted.

Interestingly, Maverick also revealed that Felip designed the entire look himself. “This look serves as a teaser for his upcoming brand SUPERIORSON.”

To close the show, Felip changed into an outfit that felt rather pared back. “This is a classic rockstar outfit but with contemporary pieces to elevate and modernize,” Maverick shared.

The artist wore an archival Rick Owens coat, which Maverick sourced during their trip to Guangzhou, China. The piece was purchased alongside the Maison Margiela pants featured in the first look.

According to Maverick, the store owner told them that both garments had previously belonged to a Chinese rock star. "And to our surprise, everything fit Felip perfectly,” he recounted. “It was a cool moment, [because it was] as if the pieces were really destined for him, [passed on] from rockstar to rockstar.”