BFFD 2023: These Brilliant Fashion Designers Are Redefining the Filipino Style and Identity
Meet the inaugural batch of Preview’s Best Filipino Fashion Designers.
by NICOLE CRUZ | Sep 8, 2023
Since 1995, Preview has been at the forefront of championing Filipino fashion and the creatives who bring it to life. Whether they’re at the helm of well-established houses or of emerging labels, these designers are the visionaries who shape the way we view clothing.
This 2023, we’re giving special recognition to these talented designers whose ideas have manifested into invaluable contributions to the industry. What these five proudly local fashion brands offer isn’t just the sheer genius of their garments, but rather, their fresh perspectives that influence and hone how Filipinos dress.
The Sophisticate: Chris Nick Delos Reyes
Chris Nick Delos Reyes and his eponymous label nail glamor down to a tee. Coming from a business bachelor’s program, Chris pandered to his creative call and took up fashion design at SoFA Design Institute. He never had plans of becoming a full-on designer, but an opportunity to show at the Panasonic Manila Fashion Fest proved his potential. Sleek and sensual, his Studio 54-inspired presentation was the first step into the creation and curation of the Chris Nick brand.
Soon after, Catriona Gray was spotted sporting an ivory tuxedo by Chris, officially putting him on the map of designers to watch. A sartorial windfall ensued as he nabbed 11 magazine covers within his first six months alone. Powering through the pandemic, Chris went on to design multiple collections per year, which further solidified his presence.
His ethos is classic, minimalist, and sexy, with evident influences from Gucci’s Tom Ford era. Dive into his collections and you’ll find tubular gowns, clean cuts, sharp tailoring, bows, sequins, and velvet, all rendered in black or white. The enduring appeal of a Chris Nick look has garnered a huge following of socialites and celebrities, with a little collective fondly called the “Chris Nick Angels” even being formed.
The demand has been “crazy,” describes Chris’ teammate Steph, who helps him manage client relations. “I wanted to create this world. My own type of curated world. I just didn’t know that people would actually want to be part of it,” he shares.