Fashion
Here's Your Chance to See Pitoy Moreno’s Historic Work on Display
Explore the legacy of the Fashion Czar of Asia in BGC until June 29, 2025.
by Kyla Villena
Published on Jun 6, 2025
The enduring legacy of Philippine fashion and the past contributors that have led to it will always be worth celebrating. With over 50 years of creative work championing culture and history, there is no doubt that Jose Reyes Moreno Jr., more widely known as Pitoy Moreno, is one of them.
ADVERTISEMENT
Click to Enlarge
PHOTO: Instagram/metmuseummanila.
Named the Fashion Czar of Asia, he is proudly one of the early exponents of the Maria Clara—a traditional and significant symbol of Filipino heritage and identity. The late fashion designer grew inspired by classic paintings by artists like Juan Luna and Felix Resurrección Hidalgo, who depicted women with much sophistication, modesty, and elegance as they wore the Maria Clara and other sartorial representations such as the terno, traje de mestizo, and kimono.
Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge
PHOTOS: Instagram/metmuseummanila
To honor one of the greatest Filipino couturiers, especially with his centennial anniversary having been marked this year, the intricate and undeniably special works of Pitoy are available for public viewing until June 29, 2025 only. Located in Bonifacio Global City is The Metropolitan Museum of Manila or The M, which houses the exhibition dedicated to the man himself.
Honing and globalizing the Philippine fashion landscape is one of the things Pitoy was highly dedicated to. His list of muses include homegrown stars such as Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, and Amalia Fuentes, and international celebrities like Rita Moreno. First Ladies and leaders were not exempted from the roster, as Pitoy had dressed prominent figures Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford, the United Kingdom’s Princess Margaret and Spain's Queen Sofia, to name a few.
With that, Timeless: J. Moreno is showcased by the New York-based art historian Dr. Florina H. Capistrano-Baker, Ditas R. Samson, and Los Angeles-based fashion curator Clarissa Esguerra.
PHOTO: Facebook/Rommel Constantino
Click to Enlarge
PHOTO: Facebook/Rommel Constantino
Click to Enlarge
PHOTO: Facebook/Rommel Constantino
Click to Enlarge
PHOTO: Facebook/Rommel Constantino
Click to Enlarge
PHOTO: Facebook/Rommel Constantino
Click to Enlarge
PHOTO: Facebook/Rommel Constantino
Tap on the pile of
photos to expand
photos to expand
A visit to the exhibit is an opportunity to witness, absorb, and be inspired by his beautifully detailed work that has uplifted Filipino fashion designers for years on end.
Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.