On a new frequency
On all fronts, this was never meant to be typical.
Designer Francis Libiran shares that for quite some time, there were already early ideas of coming up with a fashion show beyond the traditional format, creating an immersive, visual, and emotionally charged experience. Its expression finally came through the idea of collaborating with P-pop Kings SB19.
Libiran has become one of the group’s regular designers, with his creations being featured in their music videos and other creative work. Notably, he designed ensembles worn in their “Simula at Wakas” EP’s concept photos.
“Fashion and music are both powerful storytelling platforms, and I immediately saw how our worlds could merge seamlessly,” Libiran says of their “Fast Zone” collaboration, held Oct. 26 at the Araneta Coliseum. “It wasn’t just one person’s idea; it was a true collaboration between SB19 and my team.”
SB19, still in the midst of their “Simula at Wakas” world tour, made a stop at their homecourt to celebrate their seventh anniversary through the collaborative show.
Creative director Ariel Lozada, also a long-time collaborator of Libiran, shares that the goal was for it to be high concept since the beginning. A mere fashion show with performances wasn’t an option. Lozada, having been part of Victoria’s Secret productions in the past, was adamant that it shouldn’t be “just another Victoria’s Secret of sorts.”
The director took inspiration from the P-pop quintet’s ongoing “Simula at Wakas” world tour, and played with the idea of what it might mean “to begin again.”
From there, it also became personal, Lozada shares. Then it surfaced: “With the sh*t that is happening around the world now, how do you get to celebrate life? To be able to survive the chaos, you have to change frequency and consciousness.”
SB19 is no stranger to change, though. In the past seven years, the quintet composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin has faced numerous highs and lows—and it is their talent, grit, and persistence in outdoing themselves that has drawn them a loyal following.
For those who have watched them closely over the years—A’TIN, as the group fondly calls their fans—SB19’s spirit of constantly challenging themselves is all but natural. “Paano ba higitan ang sagad na”—a phrase popularized through the group’s 2025 hit “DAM”—has actually rung true for the group throughout the years, but even more so now.
And with “Fast Zone” featuring new arrangements of their songs alongside innovative visual storytelling, aesthetics, and design, it has shaped up to become a dynamic coalescence of creative expressions.
Creative evolution
Putting together “Fast Zone” saw Libiran’s creative process evolve significantly, he says. “Normally, my focus is on how garments move on the runway, but this time, I had to design for rhythm, choreography, and lighting as well. Every look needed to interact harmoniously with music and performance.”
Alongside SB19’s powerful live performances, Libiran presents the collection “Visions.” “It explores evolution, transformation, and the interplay between movement and emotion. It is a fusion of couture, streetwear, and avant-garde aesthetics—a reflection of both SB19’s dynamism and my own pursuit of innovation in design,” Libiran adds.
Collaborative effort
It’s a bayanihan effort to create “Fast Zone,” shares Lozada, noting that it isn’t just SB19 and Libiran collaborating on the show. As creative director, he is also working closely with director Paolo Valenciano, while the dancers, both contemporary and street, also found themselves collaborating on the performance space.
Even the audience is part of it, he says. Leading up to the show, “invites” have been posted to the public, noting themes and colors for outfit inspiration. It fit right in with the new wave of concert fashion—where audiences now pay just as much attention to their outfits as they do their tickets.
For Lozada, the invitation had another purpose. While it encouraged audiences to express themselves through their interpretation of the dress code, he says, coming in Libiran’s color palette also fosters a sense of belonging.
“The public’s response has been overwhelming,” Libiran shares. “Many people immediately understood that Fast Zone isn’t just a concert or a fashion show; it’s a redefinition of how these two worlds can coexist. The excitement and support have been truly inspiring.”
