Dennis Lustico Archives

Ayala Malls trains spotlight on Filipino designers’ modern takes on the terno

One of the country’s leading malls, in partnership with homegrown global retail brand Bench, launches the return of the annual BRAVO! Filipino by focusing on this year’s featured ternos at Ternocon III. Dubbed as “Ternocon III: Ang Balintawak Ngayon,” the ongoing exhibit puts emphasis on modern-day versions of the balintawak…

Yssa Inumerable wins grand prize as TernoCon returns this year

Now on its third edition, Bench’s TernoCon not only provides budding designers with a venue to showcase their skills and talents. It also honors and promotes the country’s national dress by making it more accessible and wearable to today’s generation of Filipino women. Text and photos Alex Y. Vergara Yssa…

Ternocon 2023: The balintawak reimagined

Ternocon, a fashion competition originated by Bench’s Suyen Corp., resumes early next year after a two-year disruption because of the pandemic. Twelve finalists, who are being mentored this time by Inno Sotto, Dennis Lustico, Chito Vijandre, Ricky Toledo and Joey Samson, will compete for the top prize with their modern…

Photographs and memories

A dreaded virus may have momentarily stopped us from traveling, but it can’t stop our minds from wandering off, dreaming of the day we can once more visit and immerse ourselves in what many of us now consider our second homes. Someday soon. By Alex Y. Vergara So, where would…

The terno: Wearing your national pride on your sleeves

What makes this national dress special and a reflection of its wearer’s pride in being Filipino? Despite the impression that it’s difficult to wear, what does it imbue its wearer that a contemporary or Western dress doesn’t? This Independence Day, a number of the country’s leading designers share their insights…

Designs of the times

With the advent of social distancing and the absence of big events, one of the many industries that’s taken a direct hit during this pandemic is fashion. How are some of the country’s leading designers managing to stay afloat? What measures have they taken to deal with the bleak situation?…

Ito Curata: Everyone’s BFF

By Alex Y. Vergara Some people are an acquired taste whose goodness grows on you over time. Fashion designer Ito Curata wasn’t one of them. He was one rare fellow whom you tended to like and gravitate to the minute you meet him. From his warm smile down to his…

Seeing Red

If there was one takeaway the 10 participating Red Charity Gala designers probably reached or were again reminded of after the show, it’s never to compare yourself with others. Otherwise, you’d likely end up losing your way as a designer by producing pieces that are far removed from who you…

Red Charity Gala features not one, but 10 celebrated designers on its 11th year

Virtual fireworks are set to explode and light up the runway, as 10 seasoned Filipino designers with totally different aesthetics participate in the ultimate fashion face-off on October 12 at Shangri-La at the Fort. Among this year's featured talents are Dennis Lustico, Jojie Lloren, Joey Samson, Rajo Laurel, Michael Cinco,…

Fun, fabulous, fearless

Although influences from two of the most showy decades in fashion history seemed to loom heavily on his work, Dennis Lustico says his main inspiration for his latest collection for Bench Fashion Week 2018 was a flamboyant character played by actress Tilda Swinton in Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”…