Philippine Textile Takes the Spotlight at Italy's Forma Fashion Show 2025
ROME 16 July 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Rome, in partnership with the Maiani Accademia Moda (MAM), successfully showcased sustainable Philippine textiles at the prestigious Forma Fashion Show 2025, held on 05 July 2025 at Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy. The collaboration featured student-designed creations featuring Filipino fabrics, specifically piña jusi, hablon, and abaca, bringing Philippine heritage to the forefront of this remarkable Italian fashion event.
Co-organized by the Comune di Roma, the Forma Fashion Show is a highly regarded haute couture runway event designed to highlight emerging talents from established Italy’s fashion scene, particularly independent designers and students from Italian fashion institutions. The event was attended by key figures in the Italian fashion industry, media, and various distinguished guests, providing a significant platform for cultural and artistic exchanges. Mr. Alessandro Onorato, Councilor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism, and Fashion of Rome, and Ms. Roberta Angelilli, Councilor for Economic Development, Trade, Crafts, and Industry of the Lazio Region also graced the event.
This year’s edition of Forma was participated in by five (5) top Italian fashion schools. Among them, Maiani Accademia Moda (MAM), headed by its Founder and Director, Ms. Maria Maiani, distinguished itself through its predominantly-white-themed presentation, “Bianchi Contaminati” (“Contaminated Whites”). The collection featured twenty (20) original designs that creatively incorporated the aforementioned Philippine textiles. The use of these fabrics not only highlighted the intricate craftsmanship and cultural depth of Philippine fabrics, but also demonstrated their versatility and timeless relevance to the everchanging fashion trends.
Embassy personnel headed by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Donna Celeste Feliciano-Gatmaytan attended the event to show support for the collaboration and promote the Philippines’ rich textile heritage on the international stage.
The Embassy’s participation in the event underscores its ongoing efforts to promote Philippine culture and creative industries in Italy. By bringing Filipino heritage textiles to Italy’s fashion capital, the initiative strategically positions the Philippines as a source of premium, eco-friendly materials suitable for high fashion. Moreover, the exposure creates potential avenues for trade, partnerships, and innovation between Philippine textile producers and Italian fashion houses. END
Chargé d’Affaires Donna Celeste Feliciano-Gatmaytan with Mr. Alessandro Onorato, Assessore ai Grandi Eventi, Sport, Turismo e Moda (Councilor for Major Events, Sports, Tourism, and Fashion) and Ms. Maria Maiani, Founder and Director of Maiani Accademia Moda
For more information, visit https://www.romepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinItaly/ or https://twitter.com/PHinItaly.