Photo By John Du
Photo By John Du.

Thread through the stylish runway of Benildean fashion with SINULID 2025


Slip into a world of dazzling beauty and catch the fabulous creations of these Benildean fashion designers at this year's SINULID.


By Williane Tobias, and Joaquin Castillo | Friday, 7 February 2025

Benilde’s annual runway show for the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program graduates exemplified what it means to be a fashion designer in the contemporary world. Held on Jan. 25 at the College’s Design and Arts (D+A) Campus, SINULID set an eye-catching show featuring the designs of 34 exceptional and hardworking FDM graduates.

 

Stitched together by creativity and individuality, SINULID has given FDM students a platform to express their love for fashion and artistry for over 10 years. This year’s rendition, themed “Threaded Experience,” aimed to sew together a runway experience filled with creativity and passion that would leave those watching captivated by its elegance.

 

Under the silk and fabric

In an interview with The Benildean, the program chairperson for FDM, Ms. Ionica Abrahan Lim expressed her challenges for SINULID this year, “It was very challenging to be honest because [...] we had budget constraints. But we’re really happy because this batch [...] was able to pull through with a really great show.” 

 

Expressing a sense of pride in the results of this year’s runway show with its elegant displays adding that, “Who would’ve thought that this place is a cafeteria?”

 

SINULID is not only a celebration of these fashion designers’ artistry but also acts as their gateway towards the fashion industry. “We invite our partners from the industry, from the media, [...] from the host training establishments [...] we invite the press, we invite different stylists. So this is really like a debut for them,” Lim added. 

 

“They're given a lot of opportunities for advertising, even for magazine spreads. So doon nagsi-start talaga ang career ng isang FDM student,” she shared.

 

The FDM program not only fosters a great environment for students to express themselves but also nurtures and trains them for the industry. “Benilde is a great avenue for students who have the skills but are not yet skilled. Parang ganon, may alam na kami pero hindi pa ganun kagaling. [...] Mas binigyan nila kami ng chances to express our talents, our skills, our creativity, our thoughts, you know?” according to ID121 SINULID fashion designer Erin Dare Nicolas.

 

When asked about his experience with SINULID and what made it memorable, he stated that, “My experience was very fulfilling because I was able to release my collection finally [...] the most memorable part for me probably was conceptualizing the whole show and also the collaboration with all the students.”

 

A collection of diverse style and taste

For FDM ID123 student and drag queen Sela, who took part in the SINULID Drag Queen show, it was an eye-opening experience seeing her seniors grace the catwalk with their thesis designs. “Ang saya kasi, [...] kita mo ‘yung mga [designs], as a fashion designer myself, I know ‘yung hard work and yung determination para marating ‘yung mga pinapakita nila.”

 

Attendees of the event eyed collections based on their personal preferences and style. “Mostly nagle-lean ako  doon  sa  mga  couture  na  collection.  So,  ‘Imahinasyon  sa  Baniyera,’  ‘Berde  ng  Dugo,’  tapos  nagustuhan  ko  rin  ‘yung  kay  ‘Fall of  Icarus,’” Sela replied when asked which designs stood out the most to her. 

 

For designers, their unique vision and flair come from their taste, but also their own lived experiences. “For  this  collection  kasi  mostly  parang  personal  experience  siya. Very personal, […] parang compilation of [the] people that I’ve encountered, mga ganun.” ID121 SINULID fashion designer Roselle Sy said when explaining the inspirations behind her collection.

 

Ending the night was the FDM Special Awards which crowned students who exemplified talent and creativity. Presenting these awards were Chancellor Benhur Ong, Vice Chancellor Angelo Lacson, and Ms. Lim. The criteria for these titles ranged from having a strong narrative to being the most inventive. Each awardee was given to a three-piece shoe collection sponsored by Risque Designs.

 

The following were the recipients of the FDM Special Awards:

Brand Award - Alessandra Caamic

Fashion Innovation Award - Serena San Jose

Emerging Creative Talent Award - Gemma Santos

 

Stories stitched together

“To  my  fellow  SINULID designers, [...] we did it! Kahit na sobrang hirap nung pinaplano natin,  nagawa natin, nakapagsinulid tayo,” Sy said as a message to her batch. 

 

“For  future  batches,  galingan  niyo  mag-communicate with each other kasi kailangan talaga  ‘yun para makapag-form ng magandang SINULID na show,” she shared as advice for upcoming FDM students.


SINULID: Threaded Experience was a night of glamour and defiance, showcasing designers who express themselves unapologetically through the art of fashion. As the culmination of years of artistic perseverance in their course, they proudly walked down the catwalk themselves, not only giving the spotlight to their creations but to the people they’ve become.

Last updated: Saturday, 8 February 2025
Tags: Sinulid