Business management

First year college, De La Salle University

I never thought I’d be in New York for Fashion Week (NYFW) at the age of 18. I wasn’t there to present a collection or walk the runway. I was there merely as a young founder, student, and intern, who was eager to learn and passionate enough about fashion to travel halfway around the world to pursue it. Nevertheless, amid the dazzling lights, rushing feet, and artistic mayhem, I came to the subtly potent realization that Filipinos have an infinite amount of room on the international scene.

Just a few months before that moment, I was in Manila, juggling school deadlines, meetings, and creative sketches for Isa the Label, the small clothing brand I built from my bedroom. I took a risk when I chose to save money for Vogue Summer School. Beyond what I could see online, I wanted to learn more about the industry. I never thought it would take me right into the center of NYFW, but I did hope it would help me see the creativity and discipline that go into fashion.

I had the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry I had always admired from a distance, thanks to an internship with Style Ana at Filipinxt. I can still clearly recall my first day, which included helping with fittings, steaming clothes, assisting a photoshoot, and carrying clothing bags through congested streets. It wasn't glamorous, but it was authentic. Fashion really happened there.

Fashion Week backstage is a world unto itself. Makeup artists move with precision, models glide in and out of rooms, clothing racks line the narrow hallways, and designers whisper last-minute adjustments. I stood there in that whirlwind, wide-eyed and thankful to be there.

I didn't hold a prominent position or a fancy title. I was there to watch, to help, to learn. However, the silent chores of repairing a collar, carrying accessories, and ensuring that everything was in its proper place felt significant. Because everything came together to create something lovely, every little detail mattered.

In those moments, I understood that fashion is not built on perfection but on passion and teamwork. It’s about people who dedicate themselves fully to their craft, even if their names never appear in a headline. It taught me that humility is not a weakness in fashion; it’s the foundation of growth.

One of my most surreal experiences that week was being invited to sit front row at the Filipinxt showcase. When I took my seat, surrounded by people from all over the world, I felt something shift inside me. The lights dimmed, and as the first model stepped onto the runway, I saw more than just clothes. I saw stories being told through fabric, color, and form.

Each collection carried a piece of home. It spoke of identity, resilience, and artistry that only Filipinos could express. Watching those garments move down the runway made me feel both proud and emotional. For the first time, I wasn’t just a spectator. I was witnessing Filipino culture celebrated on one of the biggest fashion stages in the world.

Throughout that week, I had the privilege of meeting Filipinos who were already making their mark internationally. People like Veejay Floresca, the winner of this year’s

Project Runway” competition, and Bessie Besana, a designer whose work I deeply admired.

Hearing their stories made me realize how much talent our country holds.

We often talk about the lack of opportunity, but standing there, surrounded by brilliant Filipinos thriving in New York, I saw something else: proof that our creativity, skill, and spirit belong anywhere. The world is not short of Filipino brilliance. What we need are more spaces that recognize it.

Seeing the Philippine Consulate in New York was one of the highlights of my trip. We discussed Filipino weaves with the team, highlighting their elaborate designs, the patience required for each thread, and the generations of artistry that preserve our culture. I experienced a strong sense of connection even though I was thousands of miles away from home.

When I look back on my NYFW experience, I don’t think of the glamour or the front-row seats. I think of the people, the hardworking interns, the passionate designers, the proud Filipinos who continue to break boundaries abroad.

Fashion Week showed me that it isn’t about chasing the spotlight. It’s about sharing it, lifting others, representing your roots, and reminding the world that Filipino creativity belongs on every stage.

New York taught me that we, as Filipinos, don’t just belong in global conversations. We are part of them, through our work, our passion, and our pride. And as I move forward, I’ll keep stitching that truth into every design: one stitch, one story, one piece at a time.

Ana Ysabel C. Buenaventura, 18, is a first-year college student from the Philippines and the founder of Isa the Label, a purpose-driven clothing brand she launched at 17. With a passion for fashion rooted in storytelling, comfort, and culture, Ysa self-funded her way to New York City to study at Vogue Summer School under the Fashion Business program. She continues to grow her brand while balancing her academic journey—sharing stories that empower young Filipinas to start where they are, stay grounded in purpose, and dream fearlessly.