Pinas Sadya has finally made its much-awaited debut at New York Fashion Week.
Photo: Pinas Sadya
The beloved homegrown brand, which is known for using traditional local materials and patterns in its beautifully intricate clothing, has made its mark at the highly coveted fashion week. Bringing Filipino craftsmanship, bold style, and unapologetic confidence to the global stage, the brand strutted down the runway to the beat of Maymay Entrata’s Amakabogera. Each model embodied the spirit of the modern Kabogera—radiant, confident, and playfully fierce.
Kabogera with a purpose
The debut showcased Pinas Sadya’s Kabogera With a Purpose campaign, which is an empowering tribute to women owning their individuality and full potential.
“Kabogera is your birthright,” said Skeeter Labastilla-Turgut, Founder of Pinas Sadya. “You are born to shine, to stand out, and to achieve your best. This collection is meant to accompany you at different parts of your journey, as you discover, fulfill, and share your purpose.”
Guided by Skeeter’s creative vision, the collection combined iconic Philippine weaves, intricate hand embroidery, and modern silhouettes, resulting in dynamic and versatile pieces that bridge tradition and innovation.
“Every look tells a story,” Skeeter explained. “It allows women to express every side of themselves, with pieces called Meeting with the Ambassador, No Time for That, Ayan na Sya! all while carrying kabogera pride.”
Strategic Global Positioning
With the help of Filipinxt, an innovative platform that showcases Filipino creativity and craftsmanship on the global stage, Pinas Sadya was able to bring such concepts to life at NYFW and offered an opportunity to showcase Filipino design to an international audience.
“There’s a growing global appetite for Philippine-made, thoughtfully designed products. The response we received confirmed that Filipino creativity resonates internationally while staying true to its roots,” noted Valerie Fischer, Co-Founder and General Manager of Pinas Sadya.
Fischer added: “It has been very exciting to see our audience engage with the collection and connect with the stories behind the pieces. The enthusiasm and feedback reinforced the potential for Filipino brands on a global scale.”
Collaborations on and Behind the Runway
Key partnerships elevated the presentation. Farah Abu, a Filipino artist and designer guided by a deep passion for creating beautiful and distinctive artistic expressions, provided accessories that perfectly complemented Skeeter’s designs, adding depth, cohesion, and personality. Collaboration with the organizers of Filipinxt further amplified visibility, providing curated exposure to media, buyers, and influencers.
Photo: Pinas Sadya
In the same vein, runway presentations of this scale require precision, creativity, and teamwork. Skeeter thanks Filipinxt for leading the effort and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of fellow designers and partners—Bitagcol, Style Ana, Farah Abu, Bessie Besana, Ram Silva, and Project Runway Season 21 winner Veejay Floresca—each of whom contributed to the success of Pinas Sadya’s NYFW debut; as well as the makeup artists, photographers, production crew, marketplace staff, and models who added to the overall cohesive experience that reflected Pinas Sadya’s brand DNA: joy, pride, and confidence.
Looking Ahead
The NYFW debut marked a milestone in Pinas Sadya’s journey, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to heritage, boldness, and purpose-driven design.
Valerie concluded, “To all the kabogera women out there: this collection, this moment, and this energy are for you. Shine, stand out, and make your mark—the world is ready.”
Following the overwhelming response and invitations from partners and audiences, Pinas Sadya will return to New York for YAMAN 2025—a cultural movement bringing the heart of the Philippines to New York City. YAMAN celebrates heritage, empowers artisans, and creates opportunities for communities to thrive worldwide—values that perfectly align with Pinas Sadya’s mission to showcase Filipino creativity on the global stage.
Celebrate Filipino artistry and fashion with Pinas Sadya. Visit their pop-up store at Main Entrance, Ground Floor, SM Mall of Asia or their Showroom at Room 254 of The Peninsula Manila;, or learn more about their upcoming projects and the New York Fashion Show Spring-Summer Collection 2026 at https://pinas-sadya.com/
