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You can’t expect less from someone who’s destined to do more. Step into designer Job Dacon’s old-rich, sprezzatura world of high fashion

- MARIAN SAN PEDRO

From being a forensic psychology student to working odd jobs for a living, avant-garde designer Job Dacon has been through it all—but there’s still so much more to do. After investing in a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) course in graphic design, he landed a job in a big local airline, where he designed catalogs and took part in the iconic rebranding of the company’s magazine. But despite his steady career, he knew he wanted to make something different. Then, an opportunity came in 2018, when he was invited to the Miss Intercontinental pageant and was tasked to design for the representative of Costa Rica.

“I integrated my graphic artist background into fashion, which was practically nonexistent when I was starting,” says Dacon, recalling that it was the moment he realized that fashion can really work for him. “But in my mind, I already have a vision. I want to be a fashion designer, and this is where my brand is going to go.”

He printed out the historical Juan Luna painting “Spoliarium” on a terno—a first of its kind. He sketched a Filipiniana, made it into a paper doll, seemingly placed the cutout on top of the painting, and passed it for approval. At the time, Dacon didn’t even know the nine-head rule of drafting a fashion illustration—he simply drew a Filipiniana with the best of his abilities.

Dacon’s interpretation of glamor is different: it’s something that comes from within and doesn’t need too much drama. That’s why if he were to choose between nouveau riche and old money, he would prefer the latter.