Mentorship program in Milan launched for talented PH designers
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) and the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), together with Tetta Ortiz Matera of Lit Fashion Consultancy, join forces as they announce the launch of the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025.
Designed to educate, expose, and embolden Filipino designers and local brands, the initiative features a three-day exhibition in Milan on Sept. 23 to Sept. 25, presenting curated works by 10 chosen Filipino designers and fashion brands who qualify for the program. The exhibit will be held at the prestigious Fondazione Sozzani, established in 2016 by Carla Sozzani, which curates and coordinates projects focused on education, responsibility, and the next generation of creatives.
The designers’ works will be presented in the same space that has seen exhibits by some of the world’s most iconic artists and designers like Yayoi Kusama, Maison Martin Margiela, Zandra Rhodes, and legendary photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber, and Helmut Newton. The exhibit coincides with one of the world’s most important fashion events in the world, Milan Fashion Week S/S 2026.
Prior to the exhibition, the selected Filipino designers and brands will undergo up-close mentoring sessions with a seven-member panel featuring renowned industry leaders from various segments of the fashion business. The mentors will oversee portfolio reviews and collection previews, and will spend time with each designer or brand.
“Innovation thrives where creativity meets collaboration. Together with Citem and the talented Filipino designers, we aim to shape a vision for education that fuses craft with purpose, transforming ideas into meaningful, lasting experiences,” said Sara Sozzani Maino, Fondazione Sozzani creative director and Milan Fashion Week International new talent and brand ambassador.
DTI Secretary Cris Roque lauded the program’s alignment with the country’s broader development goals. “The FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025 reflects our unwavering commitment to elevating and propelling Filipino design onto the global stage. Through this initiative, we are not only showcasing our country’s immense design talent but also broadening economic opportunities for our designers and local brands in the highly competitive international market.”
Citem executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo emphasized the importance of mentorship in cultivating and elevating Filipino talent. “This initiative is more than just an exhibition; it’s a strategic platform designed to help Filipino fashion designers and brands build relationships with international buyers and global industry gatekeepers.”
Until June 14, aspiring designers can submit their applications through the official FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program website (fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan). The international jury will review and vet the entries, and the final list of chosen designers will be officially announced in June.
For details on how to apply and to access the application form, visit fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan.
