Two Decades of Elegance with Jor-El Espina
Watch out for more dazzles and lustrous pieces at Jor-El Espina’s 20 Design Anthologies for his 20th anniversary.
Words Rica Mae P. Labbao
Photo Courtesy of Jor-El Espina
October 22, 2025
Encapsulating two decades of artistry in the fashion industry, renowned designer Jor-El Espina culminates a series of creative collaborations and showcases with the unveiling of his elegant and philanthropic 20 Design Anthologies collection at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La The Fort on October 24.
“It’s all about the celebration of Filipino artisans, you can see a lot of artisanal works in the whole collection so there’s more to watch out for,” Espina hinted.
Twenty Years of Exquisite Grandeur
Exemplifying his long dream of merging jewel stones, metallics, and deep hues into unconventional Filipiniana and reimagined barong, Espina offers a new and bold take on his signature designs—creams and muted tones elevated by diaphanous fabrics.
The 60-piece collection manifests the maximalist reverie, insights, and dreams of Espina as he incorporates the aesthetic of hand embroidery and local fabrics to mirror his sensibilities and break boundaries.
“This collection pushes the limits in terms of where I can take Filipiniana dressing. I consider this collection as my playground,” Espina said.
Composed of mostly evening wear creations, 20 Design Anthologies boasts barrel pants paired with flimsy fabric, embroidered serpentine skirts, and tulip skirts matched with paillet blouses.
All pieces are completed with diamonds and precious stones from DiaGold that harmonise with the designs, co-celebrating heritage and craftsmanship on modernist designs.
“In 20 Design Anthologies, I wanted to present something that recalls my love for details. I envisioned a collection that is more art-forward. You can also expect lots of volume, bold silhouettes, an explosion of textures and details,” Espina shared.
Sequential Artistic Expressions and Partnerships
Over the course of a year, Espina increased the excitement and tension with a string of design collaborations and creative celebrations.
First off the list is Adaptation, his art-deco inspired pieces closely knitted with Philippine fabrics, drapery, embroidery, and embellishment that embody his designer self as continuously evolving, learning, and adapting, hence the name of the capsule collection released in August 2024.
By October last year, Espina finally welcomed everyone to his exclusive atelier, where he offers an immersive experience to guests and opens a free space for collaboration, innovation, local creativity, and elegance.
After opening doors, he spread his fashion wings into movement last March 2025 as he paraded a comprehensive collection of Filipiniana-inspired costumes for Ballet Philippines’ Ang Panaginip, mixing tradition, technique, innovation, and function.
Just this August, Espina unveiled Heirloom, his 30-piece collection for the ArteFino Fair, inspired and guided by the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion, Patis Tesoro.
Confidently Fashionable with a Heart
In partnership with the Philippine Financial Inter-industry Pride (PFIP), the Bahaghari Charity Gala will house Jor-El Espina’s 20th anniversary fashion show.
PFIP expressed that this year’s gala is different and more special because of the anniversary of an esteemed Filipino fashion designer that fosters the same vision they advocate for.
The charity event’s main goal, apart from showcasing timeless cloth pieces, is to raise funds for PFIP’s Rainbow Youth Academy Scholarship Program that advocates for equal representation and inclusivity against systemic barriers, especially youth from the LGBTQ community.
For Espina, being part of the community means that everyone should play a part in shaping its culture, and partnering with PFIP to support the Rainbow Youth Academy is the way to do that.
Only a few weeks remain, look forward to a more breathtaking pinnacle of Jor-El Espina’s two-decade anniversary.
