Bench Fashion Week, a biannual event known for advancing fashion, continues to evolve into a significant platform for emerging designers. What was once a venue for promising individuals to showcase their talents has now become a key opportunity for the fashion world to discover fresh perspectives. This was particularly evident on the opening day of the three-day Bench Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025, held at the Bench Tower’s Playground, which featured the collections of model-turned-designer Ria Bolivar, stylist-turned-designer Roko Arceo, and the creative artwork of artist Vico Cham in collaboration with the youth-oriented brand, Human.
Ria Bolivar and Roko Arceo, both established in their careers, were invited by Ben Chan, the founder and chairman of Suyen Corp., to explore their talents as designers. Despite their thriving careers in modeling and styling, the opportunity to present their visions in fashion design was too compelling to pass up. Their collections, predominantly focused on crocheted resort wear, reflected their unique perspectives.
Ria’s collection, developed with the help of stay-at-home mothers and students from her hometown of Iloilo, featured a blend of crocheted dresses, jackets, halter tops, tank tops, miniskirts, and corsets, combined with woven pieces from her designer friends. The collection utilized a color palette of muted earth tones and pastel hues, creating versatile outfits suitable for the beach, farm, or city. The range of styles ensured that women of all body types could enjoy the garments, with some pieces serving as figure-flattering cover-ups while others were more revealing. Ria’s journey into design began during her downtime in the province, where she first experimented with crocheted bags before expanding into clothing.
Her brand, Reveri, named after the positive and happy vibe she hoped to evoke, is primarily sold through pop-up events like Katutubo.
Meanwhile, Roko Arceo’s collection, named “Maligaya Clothing Co.,” embodied joy through its use of bright colors and neutral whites. Drawing inspiration from Filipino culture and nature, Roko incorporated colorful patchworks made from fabric remnants into his designs. His pieces, such as shirts, jackets, and accessories, showcased his stylist background, with a keen eye for trends and curation. As a stylist-turned-designer, Roko emphasized the importance of both creativity and environmental consciousness, using vintage crocheted materials in his garments. For him, creating “positive” fashion also meant being mindful of the environmental impact.
Roko’s collection was his first public presentation after years of selling his clothes online, and he expressed excitement about presenting to a live audience composed of fashion enthusiasts, journalists, and bloggers. Noel Manapat, Bench’s stylist-in-chief, highlighted the contrast between Ria’s original crocheted pieces and Roko’s fusion of vintage crocheted items with modern fabrics, showcasing Roko’s stylistic approach.
Finally, the collection by Human featured works from Vico Cham, a 33-year-old artist on the autism spectrum. Vico’s hand-painted acrylic artworks were showcased on various garments, including denim jackets, merging fashion with art. Vico’s artistic journey began in 2012 when his mother, Cathy, discovered his talent for painting after observing his fondness for the animated show Blue’s Clues. Vico’s creativity flourished, and he has since gone on to hand-paint pieces, including barongs and a piña gown, for exhibitions, including one in New York.
As his mother proudly recalled, Vico’s joy was evident when he saw models wearing his artwork at the Bench Fashion Week. “That’s mine, that’s mine, that’s mine,” he joyfully exclaimed, recognizing his creations on the runway.
This edition of Bench Fashion Week not only showcased established talents but also provided a platform for new voices in fashion, celebrating creativity, inclusivity, and the merging of various artistic expressions.
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