From Milan to Manila, A Mentorship Program for Filipino Designers

In the continuing quest to open doors for Filipino talent in the international fashion scene, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC), joins forces with Tetta Ortiz-Matera of LIT Fashion Consultancy to announce the launch of the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025.

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Designed to educate, expose, and embolden Filipino designers and local brands, the ambitious and game-changing initiative features a three-day exhibition in Milan on Sept. 23 to 25, presenting curated works by 10 chosen Filipino designers and fashion brands who qualify for the program.

The exhibit will be held at the prestigious Fondazione Sozzani, established in 2016 by Carla Sozzani. Dedicated to promoting culture through photography, fashion, fine arts, and applied arts, the foundation curates and coordinates projects focused on education, responsibility, and the next generation of creatives.

The designers' works will be presented in the same space that has seen exhibits by some of the world's most iconic artists and designers like Yayoi Kusama, Maison Martin Margiela, Zandra Rhodes, and a host of legendary photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber, and Helmut Newton, to name a few. To add to the excitement, this exhibit coincides with one of the world's most important fashion events in the world, Milan Fashion Week S/S 2026.