Around the world, Japan fascinates people with its mix of old and new. Centuries-old traditions exist alongside futuristic cities, where precision and symbolism turn everyday rituals, textiles, and architecture into expressions of beauty and purpose.
Temples sit near neon districts, tea ceremonies coexist with bullet trains, and craftsmanship shines in both heritage arts and modern design, making Japan a place that is both timeless and modern.
This enduring fascination recently drew Filipino fashion design students to Kyoto and Osaka for a week-long immersion into Japan’s artistic heritage and contemporary creative practices. The cultural study trip, organized by the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) Program of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, aimed to strengthen global competence by exposing students to interdisciplinary design thinking, artistic appreciation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Fashion design students swapped their sketchpads for shrines, studios, and centuries-old craft techniques during a week-long immersion in Kyoto and Osaka, drawing inspiration from Japan’s cultural heritage and cutting-edge style scene.
The cultural study trip, organized by the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) Program of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, aimed to strengthen global competence by exposing students to interdisciplinary design thinking, artistic appreciation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The program fostered exchanges between Filipino and Japanese learners while opening pathways for professional development and international partnerships.
In Kyoto, the group visited the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, where an extensive collection spanning Japanese and Western works introduced them to major art movements. Students also viewed recent print works by avant-garde icon Yayoi Kusama.
A hands-on workshop at the Kyoto Shibori Museum introduced the traditional resist-dyeing method Itajime Shibori. The activity allowed participants to experiment with historical pattern-making techniques and explore contemporary applications in fashion design.
Beyond workshops and galleries, the students explored Kyoto’s historic shrines, temples, and preserved districts, observing architectural details and design elements that continue to influence modern aesthetics.
The immersion’s second leg took place in Osaka, where the group joined a two-day academic and cultural exchange with VOUTRAIL, formerly known as the Osaka Institute of Fashion. The institution is known for its progressive training in design, styling, garment construction, and the fashion business.
Atelier Research’s creative director, Oleg Mitrofanov, led a visual presentation workshop, guiding students through portfolio storytelling, digital content creation, and mood board development. Mitrofanov has worked with major clients including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Armani, and Chanel.
He co-facilitated the session with Benilde FDM alumna Pamela Madlangbayan, an Osaka-based multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of TAYO Fashion Week. Madlangbayan shared insights on art direction, graphic and fashion design, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Students from both institutions presented their design works and creative processes in an open studio setting that encouraged peer critique and collaborative learning.
Additional activities included a personal styling workshop exploring body types, identity, and visual harmony, followed by a kimono styling session where participants reinterpreted traditional garments through streetwear and avant-garde aesthetics.
