Michael Leyva is one of the few fashion designers who puts women at the heart of his creative process. His goal is to make pieces that enhance the wearer’s natural beauty. But that doesn’t mean his designs are one-dimensional. Through his eye for detail, penchant for dramatic forms, and love of vivid colors, he brings his muses’ fantasies to life—crafting a world that is nothing short of spectacular.

That’s exactly what he delivered with his 2026 couture runway collection, dubbed “Memoria ng Hardin.” Presented on April 6, 2025, the show served as the grand finale of the “Weddings at The Peninsula and More” fair. Much like his previous collections, the couture line is a celebration of Michael’s craftsmanship and timeless style, as well as an ode to his late brother Brian.

The “Memoria ng Hardin” runway experience treated the audience to a sweeping view of Michael’s design range—from bridal pieces and modern takes on the Filipiniana, to statement-making couture creations. Michael shared that it was originally meant to be just a bridal collection, but as the creative process unfolded, it naturally evolved into something bigger.

“We introduced color, explored Filipino heritage, and segmented the collection into three parts: bridal, Filipiniana, and couture,” Michael told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Our goal was to present not just wedding pieces, but a celebration of love, culture, and individuality through fashion.”

One of the most notable aspects of this collection is that Michael challenged himself to step away from designs heavy on beadwork. Instead, he leaned into fabric manipulation, three-dimensional design elements, and bold silhouettes to make the collection truly shine.

“We focused on hand-appliquéd flowers, which became a central theme across the looks,” Michael said. “The process allowed us to highlight craftsmanship in a different way—celebrating texture, volume, and artistry without relying on embellishments. It was a bold shift for me and something I truly enjoyed experimenting with.”

First to grace the runway were his bridal pieces, the very definition of ethereal. Michael played with ruching, ruffles, and floral appliqués to bring texture to luxurious fabrics. What followed was a medley of designs in traditional Filipino form. His black-and-white terno pieces got a contemporary twist through graphic lines and modern tailoring.

Witnessing the final segment of the show, his couture line, felt like stepping into an “Alice in Wonderland” garden, where the flowers don’t just bloom; they speak. In Michael’s case, the creations shout in volumes through book leaf design elements, rose appliqués, and vine-like motifs. Adding to the drama were maximalist accessories and sculptural metal pieces, evoking the strength of brotherly love and grounding the collection’s emotional core in a powerful visual language.

“For the accessories, we had the privilege of collaborating with local artist and stylist Rey Santos,” Michael said. “His artistry brought another layer of narrative to the collection and complemented the pieces beautifully. It was important to me that every detail—from silhouette to accessory—felt cohesive and intentional.”

In attendance were many of Michael’s muses, led by actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista. Also there to support him were First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, as well as The Peninsula Manila’s manager Mike Yutuc and managing director Kevin Tsang.

“Designing this collection for The Peninsula show allowed me to pour my heart into each piece,” Michael said. “It’s more than just fashion—it’s a celebration of love, dreams, and timeless beauty.”

See the collection in motion below:

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