Meet the Pinoys who recently made waves in the US fashion scene

Photos from 3.1 Phillip Lim/Instagram and by Carlijn Jacobs/Marc Jacobs via IMG Models

For most Filipinos, September marks the start of the Christmas season. But for fashion fans, the month ushers in a different kind of festivity—something that involves runways, innovation, and self-expression.

It’s a time when established (and emerging) brands congregate in the Big 4 fashion capitals to showcase the sartorial creations and statements that will potentially shape the style landscape for the coming seasons.

And amid an industry that has leaned on Eurocentric ideals for far too long, recent years have finally witnessed a gradual but promising shift toward diversity. You’ll now find a growing Asian presence on the runways—with a number of Filipino talents weaving their heritage into the fabric of the US (and global) fashion narrative.

Eleanor Simon

When you think of a fashion model, the image that instantly comes to mind might be that of a twentysomething individual who exudes an air of youthful confidence and energy. However, a 55-year-old Filipina has been breaking these ageist stereotypes, one catwalk at a time.

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Meet Eleanor Simon, a mother (of three) and a model who recently strutted down 3.1 Phillip Lim’s show at New York Fashion Week. Simon’s modeling journey has spanned over three decades now—and it’s enough proof that motherhood and age need not be hindrances to pursue one’s dreams.

For the record, this wasn’t her first appearance at NYFW. Simon previously graced the runways at the Deveaux SS23 show. But her walk for 3.1 Phillip Lim held special significance as the brand’s advocacy resonates with hers: to amplify the voice of the Asian community in the States.

Chris Habana

With a portfolio that boasts collaborations with numerous brands and iconic personalities, Chris Habana’s most recent milestone involves Marc Jacobs, Bella Hadid, and a helmet that was seemingly plucked straight from a sci-fi movie.

Photo by Carlijn Jacobs/Marc Jacobs via IMG Models

The Heaven by Marc Jacobs’ Fall 2023 campaign—which is a futuristic nod to the Y2K era—gives off cyberpunk aesthetics and avant-garde fashion. At its helm was Hadid, and adorning her head was an intricately crafted helmet by Habana.

For those unfamiliar, Habana is a New York-based Filipino jewelry designer known for his bold and boundary-pushing designs. His works have already been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, and Kim Petras, among others.

Michelle Ochs

In case you missed it, Fil-Am fashion visionary Michelle Ochs recently debuted as Hervé Léger’s creative director at NYFW.

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Stepping into the French fashion house, Ochs has one mission: to liberate the Hervé Léger woman from the confinements of the trademark bandage dress. The result? A breathtaking collection of body-hugging dresses, each an embodiment of contemporary elegance.