Thian Rodriguez understands how clothes can make an impact. His pieces have graced the stage, worn by some of the country’s top music artists—from KZ Tandingan and Kyla to international star Lizzo. They have even become his ticket abroad, taking his work to different parts of the globe, with Hong Kong as his most recent stop. This time, however, his designs have found a new platform—not on the pages of a magazine or the runway, but in a gallery.

Thian showcases his latest works as part of Kambal Gallery’s newest exhibition. Dubbed "Tapestry: Woven Narratives," the exhibition puts the spotlight on 25 creatives from around the world, exploring the crossroads of storytelling, texture, and cultural dialogue.

When he was tapped by the gallery, Thian confessed that inspiration didn’t strike him right away.

“My work rarely features weaving,” he tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “But when a friend of mine who owns a shoe workshop in Marikina City asked me to give her a tour of Divisoria, that’s when it hit me.”

As they explored the different passages of the iconic Manila market, Thian found himself fixated not on the variety of textiles it offered but on the sako—the woven plastic sacks used to cover the fabrics. Unlike the ones he had seen before, these particular sacks stood out because of their striking color palette.

“Woven sacks are nothing new, but this particular color palette completely caught my eye,” he says.

“I went back and asked the owners if I could buy all of them,” the designer recalls. “They politely declined since their boss wasn’t around—and, to be fair, I probably sounded a little crazy asking to pay for something they usually throw away. I told them I didn’t mind—I was even willing to buy the 'trash.'”

After a little convincing, Thian eventually took the sako home and let his creativity take over. He decided to turn them into a capsule collection—a love letter to his many adventures in Manila. The result is a playful line that merges his edgy aesthetic with the humble yet vibrant energy of the city.

“As a designer, Manila played a big role in my creative process,” Thian muses. “That’s where the inspiration came from. Instead of using fabric, I really wanted to use unconventional materials.”

Now on display at Kambal Gallery's space in Park Triangle Mall in Taguig City, his collection, "Mosaiko: Threads of the Metropolis," celebrates artistic expression that values artisanal craftsmanship, revealing how beauty, culture, and meaning can emerge from the most unexpected materials.

The line features four pieces that capture his formative years as a designer exploring Manila.

First is Plaza Miranda, a jacket made of colorful sako adorned with beadwork that mimics melting candles. For Thian, the piece perfectly captures the beautiful chaos of the historic plaza, a place where commerce and religious devotion coexist.

Next is Tabora, a piece that pays homage to the well-known street in the Divisoria–Binondo area. Its checkered pattern is reminiscent of the narrow shopping lanes, or pasillos, packed with wholesale stalls. Tabora, for many, is also known as a hub for weddings and milestone celebrations. To reflect that, he decorated the piece with pearl beads and a kite brooch, symbolizing both festivity and cherished traditions.

Malate serves as the collection's breather. The piece is crafted from white sako, providing the perfect canvas for his designs. Long known for its vibrant nightlife, Malate inspired Thian to place a large "I Love You" message on the back of the jacket while strategically arranging beads to emulate the cityscape along Manila Bay.

Lastly, Ongpin breaks away from the collection's use of sako, presenting weaving through interconnected beadwork instead. The piece features an array of beads in different colors, sizes, and textures, capturing Ongpin's reputation as Manila's hub for precious gems and gold jewelry.

“Each piece captures the pulse, diversity, and beautiful chaos of the metropolis,” Thian says. “Like a mosaic, countless individual elements come together to form a unified whole, celebrating the complexity, resilience, and interconnectedness that define Manila’s bustling commercial districts.”

Thian’s "Mosaiko: Threads of the Metropolis" is on view at Kambal Gallery until Aug. 15.