LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach, R’Bonney Gabriel at NY Fashion Week’s FILIPINXT show

FILIPINXT co-founder Bessie Besana with Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey. CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK – The crisp and cool fall weather in New York heralds the flashing strobe lights of catwalks, beauty queens and avant garde designers reinventing fashion.

This season’s fashion month saw both established and upcoming Filipino designers outdoing each other as they took center stage at New York Fashion Week, opening with the FILIPINXT Spring-Summer 2025 Show at Annex 417 in Manhattan.

FILIPINXT co-founder Bessie Besana featured his intricate wedding collection. His carefully curated designs are worn by discerning clients, including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey.

Besana dresses beauty queens Miss International Kylie Verzosa, Miss World Megan Young and Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee, among others.

Bessie Besana bridal collection. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

The Fiiipino American attendees hobnobbed with pageant title holders, milling around the limited collection on sale laid out by Filipino designers Wilson Limon of Niñofranco, Gabby Garcia of Tagpi and Llamanzares Barongs. A special pop-up shop also featured the pearl collection of  Gretz Jewelry.

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

(From left) R’Bonney Gabriel, designer Chynna Mamawal and model/basketball player Ciole Micek. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

Adding to a most unforgettable evening, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and Filipino American actor, model and professional basketball player Cole Micek strutted the runway, further highlighting the oversized spring flower collection of Chynna Mamawal.

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The main runway show focused the spotlight on three outstanding women designers with their breathtaking creations: Adrienne Charuel of Maison Metisse, Chynna Mamawal and Andrea Tetangco.

Collection by Maison Metisse. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

Collection by Andrea Tetangco. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

Tagpi by Gabby Garcia. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

Another beauty queen spotted that night was Miss Earth USA 2024 Beatrice “Bea” Millan Windorski. She the first Filipino American to win the national title.

A humanitarian at heart, Bea advocates for refugee rights. She will represent USA at Miss Earth 2024, to be held at the Okada in Manila on Nov. 9.

(From left) FILIPINXT co-founder Rob Mallari D’Aura, Chynna Mamawal, Adrienne Charuel, Andrea Tetangco and Bessie Besana. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

The FILIPINXT Spring-Summer 2025 Show was made possible by presenters Philippine Consulate General in New York and Kalye NYC, and sponsors, including Crimson Boracay, FPJ Panday Bayanihan, New York Makeup Academy, Gretz Jewelry, PAPERLESS PR & Creative Agency, La Belle Fete, Dominic Senador Photography, Jervy Santiago, Michael Maniago Photography, DJ Filipino Events, Jazzcorp Manpower Group and AMRG Events by Monique Galang.

Miss Earth USA 2024 Bea Millan Windorsky. Photo by Carol Tanjutco

FILIPINXT co-founder Bessie Besana announced two major upcoming projects. This month, it will launch its e-commerce platform at www.filipinxt.com, offering global customers exclusive access to collections from Filipino designers and artisans. The platform aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Filipino fashion worldwide.

In February 2025, FILIPINXT will launch the inaugural Supermodel Competition, which aims to promote emerging Filipino modeling talent. This competition will provide models with valuable mentorship and international exposure, further solidifying FILIPINXT’s role in shaping the future of Filipino fashion.

“With groundbreaking projects on the horizon, FILIPINXT is poised to continue elevating Filipino creativity and culture, ensuring (Filipino) talents resonate worldwide,” Besana said.

For more information on these upcoming initiatives, contact @filipinxt.show or email [email protected].