The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), and the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC) have launched the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025, a new initiative that aims to bring Filipino fashion designers, artisans, and textile technologists to the global stage.
The program will select 10 to 15 Filipino designers or brands to undergo intensive mentorship with local fashion experts and eight Europe-based mentors. It will culminate in a three-day curated showcase at the prestigious Fondazione Sozzani in Milan, Italy.
Central to the program is the use of Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTFs) and other textile fiber innovations developed by DOST-PTRI in collaboration with weaving communities and the agricultural sector. These sustainable materials—including abaca, pineapple, banana, bamboo, silk, and water hyacinth—will be featured in the collections to be presented in Milan, underlining the Philippines’ commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
DOST-PTRI director Dr. Julius Leaño, Jr. said the initiative allows the Philippines to transform scientific breakthroughs into globally recognized fashion innovations, highlighting how agricultural byproducts can be converted into wearable designs. PFC chairman Carissa Cruz Evangelista described the program as a movement to establish the Philippines as a key player in sustainable, culturally rooted fashion by linking designers, weavers, and scientists.
The program also underscores the country’s rich supply of natural fibers and how they are being reimagined for contemporary use.
Abaca, woven by groups such as the B’laan, T’boli, and Bagobo into textiles like dagmay and t’nalak, is now being processed into yarn through new spinning technologies. Piña, traditionally crafted by the Aklanon community from red Spanish pineapple leaves, has gained international recognition and is now produced using waste pineapple leaves for blended yarns. Bamboo, typically used in construction, is being transformed into fibers through Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs that provide livelihood opportunities in rural areas. Banana fibers from the plant’s pseudostem are used in both coarse and fine fabrics.
DOST-PTRI’s CoBUILDTex program has expanded its application to eco-friendly indoor materials like acoustic panels and insulation. Water hyacinth, often seen as an invasive weed, is now a resource for textile production, thanks to a decorticating machine developed by the Institute. This not only turns waste into fiber but also creates livelihood options for marginalized communities. Philippine silk, under the SEDA Pilipinas program, is also being revived with the development of cocoon production hubs that strengthen the entire local silk value chain.
Supporting these fiber innovations is the Philippine NatDyes Center, which has identified over 100 plant-based dye sources and introduced natural dye powders, screen printing dyes, and digital inks. These advancements contribute to a more sustainable and biotechnologically driven future for color development in Philippine textiles.
The FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program is aligned with DOST-PTRI’s Textile Academy Program, a comprehensive initiative for building capacity in textile science and design. Filipino participants will not only receive world-class design training but will also be grounded in sustainable technologies.
As part of the Milan showcase, visitors will be able to explore a dedicated exhibit of DOST-PTRI’s latest innovations, including natural textile fiber technologies, Philippine Tropical Fabrics, and handloom woven textiles.
