Fashion
Maja Salvador Puts the Spotlight on Filipino Textiles at the Preview Ball 2025
The Best Dressed honoree donned T'nalak fabric from the T'boli people in Mindanao.
by Em Enriquez
Published on Sep 4, 2025
Maja Salvador made a grand entrance at the Preview Ball 2025, held at Marriott Grand Ballroom at Newport World Resorts. The actress and newly minted mom was honored as one of the year's Best Dressed, solidifying her position as an industry magnate and evolving style maven. For the event, she was styled by Cath Sobrevega in an ensemble that shed the spotlight on local weaves and textiles.
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Maja Salvador at the Preview Ball 2025
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PHOTO: Mayad Studios.
Cath shares that Maja's look aimed to "bridge the gap between traditional Filipino craftsmanship and modern fashion." To achieve such a vision, they sought the craftsmanship of Randy Ortiz and Bonita Penaranda, designers who are able to capture the "chic, modern, and forward-thinking" aesthetic they were going for.
A key element of the ensemble was a pouf skirt, made by Randy, rendered out of T'nalak fabric from the T'boli tribe of Mindanao. Attached to the skirt was a body-hugging corset top by Bonita, which created for a flattering silhouette and a palatable juxtaposition. Completing the look were gold HardWear Link jewelry from Tiffany & Co., as well as a Cabebe minaudiere by Neil Felipp. To complement things, Denise Ochoa brushed on a snatched makeup look, while Florenz kept Maja's hair sleek and polished.
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Overall, Maja and her team aimed to showcase "how local fabrics can be reimagined in a modern context." Cath emphasizes that their intention was to display how integral our weaves are to our style identity. "We demonstrated that Filipino heritage is not only relevant but also essential in shaping today’s fashion narratives," she says.
Bravo, Maja and team!
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Em is queer and probably daydreaming somewhere. They're Preview's associate entertainment editor who's often spotted in cowboy boots and lemon-tinted sunnies.