Mark your fashion calendars, as it’s just around the corner! December 9, 2023, Saturday, and all fashionable roads lead to SM Aura in Taguig, as Paskong TernoCon 2023 finds its new home – departing from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for the very first time. As such, it will be a groundbreaking collaboration between SM Supermalls, Bench / lifestyle + clothing, and the CCP through its Cultural Exchange Department.

TernoCon has always been a trailblazing celebration of Filipino heritage and artistry, as manifested in the Philippine dress and barong. This year, Paskong TernoCon will bring together two visionaries in Philippine fashion – Joey Samson and Lesley Mobo.

The audience of SM Aura will experience the exquisite Filipiniana-themed Christmas decor of the mall. The centerpiece is a 33-foot tall Christmas tree festooned with handmade ornaments using locally-sourced materials such as capiz, rattan, and abaca.

Joey Samson is the maestro of minimalism, known for his clean, supple lines, his subtly romantic undertones, and timeless form of elegance. His delicate, nuanced approach to design emphasizes the principles of understatement and distinction. His modern interpretations of the Barong Filipino and “cage” ternos are some of his important contributions to Philippine design.

For the first Paskong TernoCon, Joey says that he is, “grateful to be given such a platform and opportunity, and to be able to reach a wider audience. My collection is a contemporary version of “whitework” – needlework done in white thread over white fabric. I draw from my strength in creating tailored and very structured looks that blur the lines between menswear and womenswear.”

Aklan-born, and London-based, Lesley Mobo has solidified a reputation for avant-garde designs and contemporary aesthetics. He has done collaborations with Diesel and Uniqlo; and dressed the likes of Rihanna and Kate Moss.

Lesley says he is, “very happy to be part of Paskong TernoCon 2023. My collection is a continuation of Tropical Ternos, an exploration of tropical sensibilities, and a celebration of folk crafts and exuberant colors. Draping – the process of positioning and pinning fabric directly on to a dress form – is a key element in my design work. Textiles are composed of bold printed fabric.”

The combination of Joey Samson and Lesley Mobo mirrors the different facets of the Philippine terno. In contrast to Joey’s minimalism and architectural forms, Lesley’s collection is a celebration of draping, unabated maximalism, color, and folk aesthetics.

Coming so soon after the French Film Festival shifted to SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall Cinemas, this move of Paskong TernoCon 2023 reinforces how SM Supermalls is the ideal partner and the new home for events that have to do with culture, fashion, and cinema – as these signature events seek to broaden their audience and make their events more accessible.

To know more about Paskong TernoCon 2023 and SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media.

ADVT