The designer weaved a purposeful story of creativity, sustainability, and elegance.
Glamour, theatricality, and boldness have always ruled the runways of Fashion Weeks worldwide. But when Viña Romero presented her latest collection at the Manila Fashion Week last Sunday, the Filipino designer had one thing in mind—to turn the spotlight on all the hard work that takes place before each show begins.
Romero is one of the esteemed designers who showcased their works in this year’s Manila Fashion Week, which ran from October 17 to 20 at SM Aura in Taguig City. Her collection, unveiled on the last day of the event, is the culmination of the timeless designs her eponymous label created over the last decade. Titled “Mga Bakas: Noon, Ngayon, at Bukas,” the collection is more than just clothing—it’s a celebration of the journey that Romero and her artisans endured and continue to triumph over to this day.
“More than the clothes, I want people to fall in love with the process,” she said in an interview with The POST after the show. “As a designer, if you love what you do, it shows in your work.”
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Romero launched her first collection in 2013 and ventured into ready-to-wear two years later, with each piece crafted with passion and perseverance in her home-based studio in Bulacan. After eight years of actively participating in various local artisan fairs, the designer finally found her current home in Rustan’s Department Store.
Through all these, Romero stayed true to her “quietly confident” aesthetic defined by romantic silhouettes, refined craftsmanship, and sustainable fabrics. All of which are also found in the designer’s latest spectacle of ethereal cuts, intricate drapery, and a vision that celebrated modern femininity.
“The collection shows the processes, textures, signature details, our growth and the creative language we’ve built over the years,” Romero said. “It’s also an ode to the people who have been part of our story— the artisans, collaborators, and team members who continue to shape the brand with passion and care. The pieces embody the essence of who we are and the life we’ve been slowly building—familiar yet evolving, same-same but different, just like us.”
Romero fabricated 35 looks that mark the celebration of her label’s 10th year. “For the longest time, we limited our collections to only five to 10 pieces. That’s because we were really practicing sustainability and what was sustainable for our brand,” she told The POST.
Creativity was on full display in the show, starting with the white monochromatic runway that glowed against the dark walls of the Samsung Hall Deck. Models glided on the circular pathway, echoing the fluidity and grace of Romero’s Mga Bakas collection.
The opening look featured a soft sky-blue ensemble made distinct with its geometrical edges that moved along with the model’s steps. This was followed by pieces that are likewise soft, flowy, and comes in shades of blue and vanilla to evoke a sense of calmness and serenity before transitioning to earthy hues.
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Stillness conversed with structure in the billowing dresses and tops, loose trousers, draped dresses, as well as the label’s first-ever menswear, in shades of brown, gray, and black. For her 10th anniversary collection, Romero revisited her signature technique of pintucking—a method where very narrow folds in fabric are stitched in place to create a raised, decorative line or a textured effect.
“Three yards of this takes around 24 hours to make,” Romero remarked. “So if you’ll notice, there’s a lot of that in the collection, as well as patchworks.”
The designer played with past creations using textured layers and experiment of materials, all while continuing to tell the label’s sustainability story with passion and authenticity. “We’ve developed a piña-blended fabric and mostly incorporate natural fibers in the collection,” she told The POST. “For us, sustainability goes beyond materials or methods. It’s about designing not just garments, but a way of living — one that’s intentional, grounded, and aligned with the life we want to build.”
All these make for a glorious celebration that honors not only the designer’s creativity, but also the purposeful story that goes into every piece of her collections. “I hope the audience feels the depth of work and heart that go into every piece—the time, hands, and craft behind each one. More than the clothes, I want them to fall in love with the process—the quiet, thoughtful rhythm that defines how we create,” Romero concluded.
Viña Romero’s Mga Bakas: Noon, Ngayon, at Bukas will soon be available at Rustan’s Department Store in Shangri-La Plaza and Glorietta, Makati.
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