After nearly two decades in fashion and 10 years with ArteFino, Jor-el Espina still begins every collection the same way: with a blank page.

"I always feel like I'm starting all over again. Discovering and experimenting, improving and learning. Over the years, I've always believed that there is always room for growth and to never be complacent,” says Jor-el.

Every season is an opportunity to question what came before, challenge familiar ideas, and find new interpretations in sharing Filipino pride through clothing. This creative process defines “Dekada,” the collection he created for ArteFino's 10th anniversary.

More than marking the milestone, the collection also pays tribute to the platform where he established his identity as a designer. "It was where I really began to grow as a designer and a brand," he says of ArteFino. "I really began to establish my identity and clientele through ArteFino, and up to this day I regard this platform as my home."

The relationship has grown with every edition. This year, his team has tripled in size in preparation for “ArteFino: Isang Dekada,” allowing the atelier to present one of its most extensive collections yet.

"Every ArteFino season allows me to rediscover our culture and reinterpret it in a way that feels relevant today. I am inspired by the challenge of making heritage desirable for a modern woman—someone who appreciates culture but also lives an active, contemporary lifestyle."

Jor-el describes his aesthetic as contemporary Filipino luxury, inspired by heritage and expressed through modern silhouettes and refined craftsmanship. "I want every piece to feel timeless rather than trend-driven," he says. Through the years, he has become known for elevating traditional textiles such as piña, piña callado, hablon, and other indigenous weaves, pairing them with couture techniques including embroidery, laser-cut detailing, hand embellishment, and thoughtful tailoring.

While “Dekada” carries many of those familiar signatures, it also introduces something new—color. Known for muted and natural palettes, the designer embraced brighter hues in this collection, including striped and color-blocked barongs in candy-inspired shades.

"This season felt like the right moment to celebrate. ArteFino's 10th anniversary is a milestone, and I wanted the collection to reflect that sense of joy and optimism."

About 70 percent of the collection is made using handwoven piña fabric, while techniques such as laser cutting, silk screening, hand painting, beadwork, and even colored safety pins that Jor-el collected over the years add distinctive details to each piece.

"I've always believed that ready-to-wear shouldn't mean ordinary. Every woman deserves to experience the feeling of owning something beautifully made, even if it's not couture.”

The collection also features transformer pieces, including apron tops, tapis skirts, and separates designed for layering. They can be styled in multiple ways, making it easy to adapt each piece to different occasions.

"Those handcrafted details are also a way of preserving our local craftsmanship. Behind every embroidered panel, handwoven textile, or intricate finish are artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations.”

While “Dekada” looks back on a decade of milestones, Jor-el is already thinking about the next collection—and the blank page that comes with it.