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Day 1 Of Fashion Week Asia 2026: Backstage And On The Runway

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Fashion Week Asia takes the region’s creative voices to the forefront, with its opening day presenting collections from Malaysia’s PLAZÄ, Vietnam’s Duc Studio, Indonesia’s TOTON, and the Philippines’ very own Kelvin Morales.

Paris, London, Milan, and New York have always been celebrated as the world’s fashion capitals, each hosting seasonal fashion weeks that hold a spot on the international calendar. Now, a new player is entering the roster: Asia 2026, ready to add an integral Asian perspective to the global fashion conversation. It kicked off its inaugural edition with a special brunch and opening program at Casa Buenas in Newport World Resorts, setting the scene for a week spotlighting diverse creative voices and celebrating the region’s growing influence on the international style scene.

Day 1 started off strong, designers showcasing their unique perspectives on the runway at Palacio De Memoria, each inspired by their respective and transformed through the inventive and oftentimes delightfully unconventional preoccupations that inform their practice. Here’s a look at the collections and runway moments that defined the opening day.

Duc Studio (Vietnam)

Edgy yet unaloof, Duc Studio of designer Nguyen Minh Duc approaches Vietnamese dress with an avant-garde spirit. In its Asia 2026 collection, the áo dài takes on new configurations. His eye turns familiar cultural codes into a playful, irreverent, and entirely contemporary collection.

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Kelvin Morales (Philippines)

How many kelvins make a Celsius? It’s a question the Philippines’ very own Kelvin Morales poses on the runway. At Fashion Week Asia, those familiar with the designer’s work will find plenty of signatures to point to and say, “Aha!” With Celsius, the designer revisits the motifs, colors, and techniques that have shaped his practice, tracing his evolving journey through the very elements that made him.

PLÄZA (Malaysia)

Inspired by individuality and the contrasts of life, Anisah Farid of PLÄZA sent a striking mix of textures down the runway at Asia 2026, pairing intricate brocades and delicate beadwork with floral motifs.

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TOTON (Indonesia)

From the mind of designer Toton Januar, TOTON’s collection Kala was a masterclass in texture and fabric manipulation, drawing from strong cultural influences while giving them a contemporary, elevated treatment. Each look told its own story, evoking a distinct emotion from the audience as it made its way down the runway at Fashion Week Asia 2026.

Mj Calayan

Mj Calayan

Writer

MJ Calayan is a writer in Lifestyle Asia with an affinity for stories in the intersection between fashion, pop culture, and sociology. After graduating summa cum laude from De La Salle University with a degree in AB Behavioral Science Major in Organizational and Social Systems Development Minor in Sociology, he took a leap of faith and landed his first job in the publishing industry. As a writer, his goal is to amplify voices and reveal untold stories. He’s currently in law school, balancing his Andy Sachs and Elle Woods life.

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