Everything was BIG this past year at VINTA Gallery — bigger stars styled in our pieces, bigger events, bigger outfit choices and bolder looks. So we just had to do another edition of our 10 Stunning Modern Filipiniana Outfits Worn by Our Favourite People.
One of the most gratifying things about working at VINTA Gallery is seeing the journey of the terno dress or barong — from the initial design process to the moment the thread hits the fabric and when the almost-ready piece is fitted on the mannequin. Finally, when the garment is at completion and seeing how VINTA is interpreted by the wearer, according to their personal sense of style and identity. Meaning, nostalgia, memory, connection, community — one outfit can really express it all.
Feeling a bit emo about it *sniffles* but here are 10 of our favourite VINTA Gallery modern Filipiniana looks worn by some amazing people.
DJ Noodles in VINTA Gallery Custom Rubberized Denim Terno Corset with Lace Sleeves
When DJ Noodles invited us to the Nike FAHM (Filipino American History Month) event in Los Angeles this past October 2022, we dropped everything to make it out there. The theme was “Filipino Force,” bringing together Fil-Am creatives and entrepreneurs across fashion, art, music and entertainment. For Micah Mahinay (a.k.a. Noodles), we wanted to create something obviously badass, but versatile enough for her to move and play in. The end result was a custom rubberized denim Terno Corset with lace sleeves. And damn was she a force to be reckoned with.
Fil-Am rapper Guapdad 4000 has been killing it this past year, having released two new music videos with Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y, touring with Wale, even walking the runway as a model for New York Fashion Week. Joining Noodles at the October FAHM event, he paid homage to his Filipino roots in his own style, rocking VINTA Gallery’s Unisex Biggie Barong with the Pamamang Paniniwala (“inherited belief”) embroidery design. He’s quickly rising to become one of the most exciting new rappers in the game — and can we just say, we’re loving his fashion choices. ;)
Who wore it best? James Reid, Filipino-Australian singer/actor superstar and owner of record label, Careless, has been spending a lot more time in LA, and we caught him just in time to style his whole crew at the Pacific Bridge Arts Foundation’s “A Night to Remember” event, celebrating Asian Americans in music. The platinum-blonde haired James looked dashing in our Unisex Biggie Barong paired with black slacks. So back to the question: Who wore it best? Just careful not to offend his 7.2 million Instagram REIDers.
As part of the Careless crew, Liza Soberano also made it to the LA event. The stunning Fil-Am actress/singer turned heads in our Sheer Shoulder Terno Top and Freshwater Palawan Pearl Ear Lace for that pop of pearly white against the all black ensemble. She made it a night to remember indeed.
We like to call it the big Asian Prom night. Returning for its 20-year anniversary, the Unforgettable Gala, held this past December, celebrated the AAPI community’s biggest stars and their most recent accomplishments. Bella Poarch wore a VINTA Gallery two-piece couture terno set inspired by chic and glam 1960s ternos of the likes of Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces and Gloria Romero. We updated the look by breaking it up into two pieces and showing a little midriff. The mint peau de soie top is draped and pleated and the skirt is entirely sequined in matte peach sequins and clear glass beads — a look this Filipina internet diwata clearly ate.
Ugh. One of our favourite looks from the Unforgettable Gala had to be from the host of the night, actor/comedian Eugene Cordero. He graced the stage in our couture Soundwave Opera Coat with matching high waisted trouser, silk satin sando and a custom handcrafted large lingling-o brass necklace. Huge thank you to Eugene for being such a fearless emerging fashion icon for cis hetero Filipino men and showing them a different way. Bravo, sir.
AJ Rafael and Alyssa Navarro make it back to the red carpet looking as fresh and fire as they did at the last Unforgettable Gala. This time, Alyssa trades in that Mini Terno for a longer couture bias cut terno dress in a gorgeous silk satin gown with a low back drape and a saya de cola train. This cut is inspired by 1930s art deco era baro’t sayas, with a modern twist by making it a one-piece (and, of course, the low back thing, hehe). AJ dons our hand-dyed silver Classic Pechera Barong with our exclusive Neo Classic embroidery, featuring Palay (rice plant), Ylang-ylang, Tayabak (jade vine) and Sampaguita, making them look like the royal couple of the Fil-Am arts and entertainment community.
A gorgeous casual ’fit we love — TV host Azia Celestino celebrated Filipino American History Month with our white Tie Front Terno Top tucked into a pair of high waisted nude slacks for a crisper, cleaner look. Thank you, Azia, for giving us hope for better, warmer days.
She is the Energizer Bunny of Nobel Laureates — and we were honoured to dress her in VINTA Gallery. Rappler CEO Maria Ressa looked nothing short of regal at George and Amal Clooney’s inaugural foundation gala in New York City in late September. Miss Ressa wore our Shirt Coat Barong, made from jusi and embroidered with our unique Tayabak (Jade Vine) motif. Her sister Michelle (seen in the photo) complements the barong theme in our Unisex Short Sleeve Barong with “Kontra Katatagan” embroidery — a design that challenges the idea of the Philippines as a nation of resilience and the faithful platitudes that has turned toxic positivity into Filipino custom. Let that sink in.Cheyenne Jackson in the Art Deco Short Sleeved Barong
Last but not least, actor Cheyenne Jackson makes an appearance in our jade-coloured Unisex Art Deco Short Sleeved Barong in the January/February issue of LGBT magazine The Advocate. No words for the photo, except you’re welcome.