MGLI BRANDS Vogue Philippines

Vogue Finally Has Its Pearl

At the beginning of 2022, a monumental announcement was made. Condé Nast publicized the upcoming launch of Vogue Philippines, the 28th edition of the global fashion authority. Vogue is published in Australia, Brazil, China, Czech Republic and Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico & Latin America, the Middle East, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the U.K., Ukraine, and the U.S.

The acquisition was conceived under a license agreement with Mega Global Licensing Inc. (MGLI)—a Filipino publishing company with over 30 years of prestige publishing experience.

With our unmatchable creative scene, it was time for the international title to finally have its pearl—the Philippines. Vogue Philippines strengthens the fashion bible’s presence in Southeast Asia, serving as a platform to celebrate the country’s rich culture, diversity, and creative fashion talent. “The Filipino talent has been ready to be received by the world for decades now and with certainty, I can say that the market, too, is finally ready. The two are meeting at the perfect juncture at the perfect time and the long wait is over,” said Chairman and CEO of MGLI, Archie Carrasco.

Introducing The Pioneering Team

Rightfully after breaking the news to the Philippines and the rest of the world, the anticipated editorial team was formed.

Valdes is an internationally-renowned accessories designer and proponent of Filipino craft and responsible fashion. Her work has been featured in many leading global publications, including international editions of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, CNN, The Financial Times, and TIME among others. She has established herself as a leading light in the local industry, not only for her instantly recognizable work that celebrates Filipino artisanship, but also for her advocacy towards a circular economy and slow fashion.

Sampayan has worked with different teams of powerful content creators and passionate storytellers for over two decades. He has established himself in the media, being part of the biggest teams in the industry as a managing editor for different powerhouse companies.

Pascua is a graduate with a degree in Fine Arts, honing his creative vision and skill. He is a former creative director handling the biggest titles in the publishing industry and moved up his way through his unmatchable talent.

Quiñones has an extensive and varied career in the industry, with a strong editorial background and experience leading several notable fashion and styling companies. She possesses a deep understanding of the local market and has been at the forefront of the local movement for sustainable fashion solutions and practices.

Oreña has an extensive three-decade experience in the fashion and beauty industries, including modeling for some of the top Manila designers in the ‘90s. A former writer and a jewelry designer, she found her own line and established a business under her name.

Carpio is a sought-after writer and editor who has been regularly contributing to some of the most established and widely-read titles in Metro Manila. Apart from her extensive writing portfolio, she also drafts and edits speeches and articles for the Department of Tourism.

The Maiden Issue Debut

Joining editions around the world with a global audience of more than 272 million, Vogue Philippines was launched in September 2022. The debut marks the arrival of Vogue Philippines, in print and on its digital and social platforms. Vogue Philippines’ mission is to marry the past with the future, street with couture, and the Philippines with the rest of the world, speaking to both a local and global audience.

Its maiden issue was graced by the diversity of Filipino talent and beauty, with stunning locations that express how we are connected, not separated, by the waters between our islands. Filipino-American supermodel whose roots are from Davao, Chloe Magno, takes the spotlight as the first Vogue Philippines cover girl, alongside Sharif Hamza, a British-born half-Filipino, half-Egyptian photographer, who shot the cover story. The 36-page cover feature travels the length of the Philippines, with Chloe floating in the lagoons of Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte, exploring the otherworldly rock formations of Biri Island, Northern Samar, and conquering the marble boulders at Tinipak River, Rizal. All this while dressed in clothing from international couture labels to local indie darlings, showing a range of designers and brands that have a mind for both luxury and sustainability.

Other notable fashion stories in the issue include a futuristic take on the terno, the traditional silhouette symbolic of Philippine national dress as interpreted by contemporary and cutting-edge Filipino designers; a feature on the next wave of emerging talent who are pushing the boundaries of fashion, whether by creating gender-disruptive clothing or diving deep into Filipino heritage; and an accessories story that celebrates the history of craft and artisanship inherent in the country’s latest must-haves baubles and bags.

“The maiden issue explores the concept of identity – what it is to be fashioned and shaped by our environment, our landscapes and by the people we cherish. It speaks of sustainable mindsets, in our own terms. It is filled with hometown heroes and global dreams all seen through Vogue’s unique lens,” says Editor-in-Chief Bea Valdes, who has guided the team in stamping a distinctly Vogue Philippines identity to the title.

Vogue Philippines invites you to step into its world, one that is uplifting and inclusive and filled with the Filipino values of optimism, empathy, and the spirit of bayanihan. The September issue is only the beginning of a journey Vogue Philippines intends to take with its audiences, navigating the new and nuanced meanings of beauty, style, and luxury, and championing Filipino creativity in its multitude of forms.

Campaigns

An exclusive and rare gathering hosted by Vogue Philippines that is meant to bring together people from different industries and walks of life to spark meaningful conversations and connections for a good cause.

A monthly workshop meant to build a synergetic community. Industry experts will share their experiences and their perspective on a variety of topics. As audiences are empowered, a next generation of creatives will be inspired.