A testament that fashion links people no matter the nationality, the envoy said she has come to love both modern and traditional Filipino clothing, especially those made out of piña and jusi — attires she said she would often incorporate in her everyday wear.
“My favorite brand is Anthill, founded by Anya Lim – a proud Australian alumnus. She is a community development worker, social entrepreneur and creative strategist who works with local indigenous communities and their artisans to promote Filipino culture and economic resilience,” Yu said.
Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See, on the other hand, is set to don a classic Dennis Lustico Filipiniana, which she said will reflect the sophistication of Filipino design and the richness of Philippine culture.
“Wearing the Filipiniana on this important day in Philippine history is an honor and tribute to this nation’s heritage, culture and its people,” she said in a text message.
“I also want to celebrate the enduring friendship between our two nations which is further strengthened by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent visit to Manila,” she added.
For See, fashion diplomacy, when done sincerely, not only honors culture but also “open hearts and connect people.”
“Fashion diplomacy can be a quiet but compelling force. I’ve seen how a single garment— a Yakan weave from Mindanao or a piña piece—can spark conversations and build goodwill,” she said.
Beyond the vin d’honneur, she said Manila is doing good work in celebrating the country’s rich artistry, including through the first lady’s works at LIKHA, an exhibit that gathers local designers and talents from different regions.
“I admire the First Lady’s leadership especially through LIKHA, now in its fourth edition,” See said.
“It’s more than a showcase—it’s a movement to preserve heritage and uplift artisans by placing Filipino textiles and design in the spotlight. It sends a message: that heritage is not static, it lives on every day through design, innovation, and pride,” she added.
Lustico is also set to dress New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh with a full-length opal blue dress paired with a handwoven Filipiniana bodice made from piña.
Explaining the story behind her dress for the Independence Day vin d’honneur, McIntosh said she chose the design mainly for its elegance and the exquisite craftsmanship Lustico put in it.
“There’s a certain magic in the Filipiniana. It commands presence yet moves with grace. The butterfly sleeves, in particular, strike a powerful chord. They speak of quiet strength and fearless femininity, lifting the garment with a sense of poise and romance,” the envoy told the PNA.
“I love this piece not only for its elegance but for the care stitched into every fiber. The piña bodice, woven from pineapple fiber, feels luminous in its delicacy, yet strong and structured—a metaphor, perhaps, for the Filipina spirit. In wearing it, I hope to show respect for the traditions and talents of Filipino artisans, and to carry that story in every step I take,” she added.
All praises for Filipino wear, McIntosh said she views local clothing as a celebration of not just the creativity of a people but the continuity of their story.
“Filipino clothing is, to me, a form of storytelling. Whether in the delicacy of a piña weave or the boldness of a reinterpreted silhouette, each piece is a story,” she shared.
The envoy said the craftsmanship of Filipino artisans such as the dream-woven T’nalak of Lake Sebu’s T’boli people is a piece of heritage that resonates well with her as a Kiwi.
“Their textiles are not simply beautiful; they carry dreams and the soul of a people. Their craft resonates deeply with me, especially as a Kiwi, because in New Zealand, Māori and Pacific cultures also regard weaving as sacred: a way of preserving and expressing who we are,” she shared.
Ukraine Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv, meanwhile, will wear an Avel Bacudio Filipiniana, featuring the Ukrainian national flag colors— blue and yellow.
Through this combination of Ukrainian-Filipino identities, Fediv said she hopes to show the two nations’ “profound connection.”
For the Ukrainian envoy, fashion too can serve as a common point to bring the Filipino and Ukrainian people closer.
“Back home in Ukraine, I promoted Ukrainian fashion trends. Wearing clothes made in Ukraine made me feel comfortable, and whenever I traveled, I felt at home. I hope I find the same thing within Filipino fashion culture here, and I also dream of bringing our fashion designers to create new Filipino-Ukrainian fashion styles,” she said.
“I think we share much in common, taking as a starting point a combination of traditional and modern fashion, and investing in local clothing promotion,” she added.
Slovenian Ambassador Knez wearing her Avel Bacudio Inabel dress. (Photo courtesy of the Slovenian Embassy in Manila)
Slovenian Ambassador Knez’s yellow Inabel dress is a nod to the classic Filipiniana attire, adorned with ribbons, the iconic butterfly sleeves, and hand-woven patterns unique to Luzon.
Having only recently presented her credentials as the new Slovenian ambassador to the Philippines, Knez said she hopes to discover and explore both traditional and modern takes on Filipino fashion.
“I like modern design based on tradition. I believe we should all cherish our own cultural heritage, and I highly appreciate how you do it here in the Philippines,” she told the PNA.
Ahead of the vin d’honneur, Knez recognized the First Couple’s efforts in promoting Filipino heritage through Philippine clothing.
“The First Lady is an excellent promoter of Filipiniana. We can learn from her how to promote one’s own cultural heritage,” she said.
United Kingdom Ambassador Laure Beaufils and Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry, meanwhile, are both set to stun in Michael Levya dresses.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to wear a beautiful, handcrafted work of art by Michael Leyva on the occasion of the Philippines’ Independence Day. The modern Filipiniana is a great way to bring traditional design to our everyday lives and connects us (diplomats) to Filipino heritage,” Ferry said.
She added that fashion still is an excellent tool that enhances people-to-people exchanges between Sweden and the Philippines.
“Stockholm, Sweden is a renowned fashion hub home to sustainable textile technologies, utilized by fashion houses such as H&M. Filipino textile designer Anya Lim of Anthill Fabrics and shoe and accessories designer Zarah Juan learned circular fashion techniques and business models through the Swedish Institute Management Programme in Sustainability,” she shared.
Beaufils, who will sport a knee-length cream Filipiniana, said her dress would be an epitome of Filipino style and elegance— understated and the “opposite of ‘in your face’ fashion.”
The British ambassador said she too has become an “absolute fan” of Filipino clothing, especially modern Filipiniana and sees them as a great storyteller of Filipino culture and a testament to “strong modern Filipino women owning their story.”
“I admit when I got to the Philippines, it took a bit of time for me to feel comfortable in them. Now I love them— and I’m looking forward to going out in Filipianas when I go back to the UK. No doubt it will be a conversation starter and elicit lots of positive comments,” she said. (PNA)
