Filipinxt toasts Filipino designers and NYFW success with thanksgiving dinner
By John Legaspi
New York Fashion Week (NYFW) was once a far-off dream for many Filipino designers. But through Filipinxt, that goal has become a reality. Co-founded by lawyer-entrepreneur Rob Mallari-D’Auria and designer Bessie Besana, the fashion platform has since become one of the most anticipated fixtures of NYFW, ultimately earning a place on its official calendar. This year, it successfully showcased the works of Filipino designers at its fall-winter 2025 and spring-summer 2026 shows. Now, it returns home to bring together the people who have been part of its journey.
On Nov. 19, 2025, at Casa Buenas in Hotel Okura Manila, Filipinxt, together with Newport World Resorts and Manila Marriott Hotel, hosted a dinner gathering designers and industry friends to look back on its milestones this year. Leading the event were Bessie Besana, Filipinxt co-founder, and Archie Nicasio, cluster director of Marketing Communications at Manila Marriott Hotel.
“We only had one simple goal with Filipinxt, and that is to represent Filipino talents in New York,” Bessie said. “Over the four seasons that we’ve been running, we have done just that, and everyone in this room has contributed to making it happen. Especially with our featured designers, we are really happy to be an accessory to your success.”
“Filipino excellence is synonymous with the principle of wonderful hospitality, which Marriott stands for: caring, storytelling, extraordinary, and open-mindedness,” Archie added. “By championing GLOCAL (global-local) Filipino talents from various industries, they are provided the opportunity for their brands to be associated with world-class excellence.”
The evening welcomed Filipino fashion creatives such as Ram Silva, Farah Abu, Sheryl Ann Buenaventura, Skeeter Labastilla-Turgut, and “Project Runway” Season 21 winner Veejay Floresca, among others. The dinner proved to be a well-rounded celebration of Filipino ingenuity, featuring dishes crafted by Chef Miko Calo, whose Taquería Franco restaurant was recently honored with the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award. Guests feasted on dishes from Coquette by Miko Calo, a dining pop-up in partnership with Newport World Resorts.