Carla Gem Buyo

Backstage In MFW Day 2: Iñigo Visual Crescendo and DBTK's House Os Dreams

Article (news)

<p style="text-align:left">From high-gloss statements to heartfelt tributes, Day 3 of <strong>Manila Fashion Week</strong> delivered both spectacle and soul. <strong>Iñigo </strong>opened Day 3 with a visual crescendo of maximalism and movement while <strong>DBTK </strong>presented a powerful visual metaphor to pay homage to the brand&#x27;s roots.</p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>In this <strong>Metro</strong> <strong></strong>exclusive, read more about their collections and discover what it’s like backstage—where the real magic happens.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>A Maximalist&#x27;s Rhythm with Iñigo <br/></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17608495803023.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>In a fashion landscape often dominated by trends, emerging designer <strong>Iñigo </strong>is carving out a space of his own—one that thrives on drama, movement, and unapologetic storytelling. A self-taught talent who started designing competition costumes in high school, Iñigo honed his skills under a local designer post-college. Today, his vision is fully formed: garments that don’t just dress a body, but command a room.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17608496321822.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Fresh off last year’s standout showing at BYS Fashion Week, Iñigo returns to Manila Fashion Week with a 40-look collection that blends maximalist detailing with minimalist polish. “Each garment is a walking statement,” he says, referencing his signature use of metals, beadwork, and architectural silhouettes. Yet, despite the heavy embellishments, there’s a sense of clarity and intention. “Maximalist details but minimalist finish,” he explains. “It has to be wearable. Appealing.”</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17608496724859.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The heartbeat of Iñigo’s design philosophy is rooted in performance. Having grown up on stage, he channels that same energy into his pieces—ensuring every garment moves with life. “Gusto ko buhay na buhay,” he emphasizes. “The garments are alive.” This year’s collection pulses with that same theatricality: sultry shapes, precise tailoring, exaggerated sleeves dubbed “Fang Sleeves,” and commanding cuts that demand a second glance.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17608497700046.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>A standout element this season is his use of Filipino textiles, particularly the heathered piña fabric provided by DOST-PTRI. Known for its delicacy, piña isn’t typically used in such structural or detailed work. But Iñigo defies convention. “We cut it into strips, we embellished it, we gave it form,” he shares, noting how the fragile material surprisingly held up to his experimental approach. The result? A piece that is both rooted in tradition and wholly contemporary—a clear testament to his innovation.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176084980408510.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>DBTK Dares To Dream</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760849969627METRO WATERMARK - PORTRAIT.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>For over a decade, <strong>DBTK </strong>(Don’t Blame the Kids) has been a cornerstone of Filipino streetwear—raw, real, and relentlessly driven. Now, as founders <strong>Vince </strong>and <strong>Emil Javier</strong> conquer their first Manila Fashion Week show, a 13-year journey of grit, creativity, and evolution is—quite literally—taking flight. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176084988230412.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Their latest collection, aptly titled “Folding Dreams Into Flight,” is both an introspective and aspirational narrative. The central symbol—a paper plane—pays homage to humble beginnings: two brothers folding dreams from scratch, armed with nothing but passion and curiosity. “We had no fashion background when we started DBTK,” Vince shares. “But we knew we wanted to express emotion and experience through clothes.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176085009836619.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>The result is a 40-look runway collection segmented into the past, present, and future of DBTK. It’s a visual timeline—from their early days of graphic tees to fully realized, head-to-toe silhouettes using Filipino fabrics like piña denim, piña cotton, and piña twill. What’s more, the brand is pushing boundaries, introducing three original sneaker designs, accessories, and even a bag line, all handcrafted and proudly made in the Philippines.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176085005194615.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Far from the basics of tees and hoodies, DBTK is embracing cut-and-sew construction, elevated workwear silhouettes, and innovative textile manipulation. Their use of DOST-developed fabrics—notoriously delicate and complex—shows a matured understanding of both function and storytelling. “We kept the silhouettes simple but added our signature DBTK touches—metal hardware, embroidery, unique logos,” Vince notes.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176085002060420.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Yet, despite the upgrades in technique and aesthetic, the mission remains rooted: to inspire. “We want the collection to be aspirational,” Emil says. “We were just dreamers, and now we’re here. Hopefully, others see that and believe they can do it too.” With “Folding Dreams Into Flight,” DBTK steps into fashion’s high arena—still street, still raw, but unmistakably evolved. It’s not just about repping a brand anymore. It’s about soaring beyond it.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><em>Photographed by Kim Montes</em></div><div><em>Assisted by Victoria Baal</em></div><div><em>Produced and Creative Directed by Carla Buyo</em></div><div><em>Assisted by Ysabella Bautista</em><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Stay tuned for more Manila Fashion Week moments on Metro.Style and @metromagph on Instagram.</p>

<p>Read more about the collection and take a look at our favorite backstage moments from the show.</p>

Read more about the collection and take a look at our favorite backstage moments from the show.

Backstage In MFW Day 3: Iñigo Visual Crescendo and DBTK's House Of Dreams

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Backstage In MFW Day 3: Iñigo Visual Crescendo and DBTK's House Of Dreams

Carla Buyo

Published Oct 19, 2025 04:00 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 20, 2025 11:15 AM PHT

Read More:

Inigo

DBTK

Dont Blame The Kids

Manila Fashion Week Day 3

Metro Exclusive

runway

michelle dee

jess connelly

anthony constantino

streetwear

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