Manila Fashion Week makes its debut this October 2025 with a fresh rebrand and a bold mission: to shine a global spotlight on Filipino fashion.
Formerly known as BYS Fashion Week, the relaunched MNLFW will take over SM Aura Premier in BGC from October 16 to 19, 2025.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, MNLFW founder and celebrity stylist John Lozano met with members of the local press to unveil what's new.
In an exclusive interview wih PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), John promised a refreshed program of runway shows, presentations, and a curated mix of established and rising Filipino designers serving runway-ready looks with an international edge, stressing the rebrand is more than cosmetic.
He said: "The main motivation for Manila Fashion Week is really for us to have our own fashion week katulad nung ibang mga bansa like, you know, like Bangkok Fashion Week, Kuala Lumpur.
"I just really wanted an event where we can gather everybody, get them all together, lahat ng mga fans ng fashion, the designers, et cetera.
"We just wanted to bring them all together in one stage, and for us to all celebrate fashion for four days."
MNL FASHION WEEK: THE DESIGNERS
Headlining the event is a powerhouse roster of Filipino creatives, each showcasing their own take on heritage, innovation, and identity.
This year’s line-up features streetwear labels and designers Viktor, Iñigo, DBTK, and OXGN.
Also on the roster are established names Randolf, Viña Romero, Chris Nick, and Andrea Tetangco.
When asked how designers were selected, John said he and his team reviewed the list and personally invited the chosen designers to participate.
He elaborated: "The designers, of course, were invited by the team if they wanted to participate in fashion week.
"So there's a lot of criteria, that goes on behind the selection. For the selection process, we deliberate, we talk about it amongst the team who we think really deserves the spot that we are giving.
"And yeah, so the designer line-up that we came up with this year, I feel, is very strong. And I can't wait for the country to see what they have to offer."
MNL FASHION WEEK: NOT JUST THE SHOWS
There’s more new with MNLFW: all shows will be at a single venue, SM Aura, spread across the Sky Park and Samsung Hall.
Contrary to BYS Fashion Week’s previous format of multiple venues around the metro, John told PEP the move to partner with SM Aura was made to give designers and guests a more cohesive and comfortable experience.
John explained: "For the past BYS Fashion Weeks, iba-ibang venue every day. Sometimes, most of the time, it's two venues per day.
"This time, we're all housed in SM Aura. That will also provide everybody the convenience of staying in one place and then, of course, because of SM Aura, lahat nandoon, parking, food."
He continued: "At the end of the day, fashion week all over the world is really a celebration of fashion, so kailangan talaga masaya siya."
Beyond the catwalks, John also emphasized that MNLFW is all about accessibility.
Part of his plan is to stage pop-up shops after each designer’s show, letting fans touch, try on, and buy pieces that tell Filipino stories.
This, he said, will encourage attendees not just to watch but to take home the creations, stressing that, ultimately, the shows are meant to sell.
John told PEP: "I mentioned also ang fashion week all over the world, it's always centered on commerce.
"So the purpose of fashion week is for the designers to, of course, sell, and for the viewers to experience and wear the clothes and bring them home.
"So, so yun talagang core ng fashion week for me. It's not just about the shows, it's not just about entertainment...
"It's just not about the celebrities. Of course, that's part of it. But it's really about giving access to the pieces."
The celebrity stylist added: "I feel that will really bring Filipino fashion forward because if more people support and buy the pieces, the more the designers can create pieces.
"And if there's business around Filipino designers, then we can really reach our full potential globally."
READ MORE:
- Heart Evangelista skips Spring/Summer 2026 Fashion Week
- Josh Yugen stages first Filipino-led fashion show in Denmark
- Maymay Entrata overjoyed with her debut at Paris Fashion Week
- Celebrities on runway of BYS Fashion Week 2024