It was an evening for the icons, trailblazers, and disruptors of fashion and beauty.
After a three-year hiatus, the MEGA Fashion Awards (MEGA) made a grand comeback last September 13 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater to celebrate today’s established names and rising talents in the fashion and beauty industry.
A MEGA Return
Launched in 2001, the MEGA Fashion Awards has long been considered one of the industry’s most coveted accolades, honoring the Philippines’ most dynamic fashion and beauty icons and celebrating emerging talents. Editor-in-Chief of MEGA Magazine Peewee Isidro says, “It’s only fitting that we bring back the MFA. Firstly, because we have to celebrate the many exciting new creatives and the thrilling new paths they’re taking. And secondly, for some of us who were there for the 2001 iteration, to see the remarkable journey that we have all taken.”
This year’s theme, “Resurgence”, gave a powerful tribute to reinvention. The awards night highlighted the perseverance and resilience of those who kept the industry alive, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic in 2021.
Isidro explains, “The Philippine fashion scene is vastly different, but also still mostly the same. It’s different because it is undergoing a resurgence, fueled by a new generation of creatives who are making their own way, while paying respect and homage to their predecessors, a new appreciation for original Filipino creations, traditions, and crafts that go beyond the Filipiniana. It’s a glorious new world, and MEGA is right in the center.”
The MEGA Winners
The event was hosted by Miss Universe Philippines 2023, Michelle Marquez Dee, alongside TV host and creative director, Raymond Gutierrez. Together, they led the celebration of 44 outstanding awardees across five key categories: The Next, The Most Influential, The Best, The Disruptors, and MEGA Icon. The criteria selection focused on originality, transformative impact, forward-thinking innovation, and socially conscious purpose.
Some of the night’s honorees included:
- The Next Category: Bethany Talbot for The Next Model Award, Lucky Beauty for The Next Breakthrough Filipino Beauty Brand, Roko Arceo for The Next Stylist, Renz Reyes for The Next Creative Visionary
- The Most Influential Category: Pia Wurtzbach for Most Influential in Fashion, Liege Perey for Most Influential in Beauty, Patton for Most Influential Local Brand, BYS for Most Influential Global Beauty Brand
- The Best Category: Anne Curtis for Best Global Beauty, Nadine Lustre for Best Celebrity Style, Rajo Laurel for Best Fashion House, Ivarluski Aseron for Best Runway Show
- The Disruptors Category: Kyle Echarri for Most Fearless Style, SB19 and BINI for Cultural Impact Award, Vestido for Sustainable Fashion Initiative Award, Vince Uy for Best Tech-Driven Creative
- MEGA Icon: One of the most notable awards was given to Heart Evangelista as MEGA Icon
With the industry entering a new era of reinvention, MEGA’s Fashion Awards return marks not just the resurgence of an iconic event, but a bold step forward for emerging Filipino talent. As the night ended with applause, it became clear that this is only the beginning of a more daring future for fashion and beauty in the Philippines.
To view the full list of awardees/honorees of Mega Fashion Awards, head on to https://mega-onemega.com/mega-fashion-awards/.
Photographed by ED SIMON, KIM SANTOS, TIMOTHY DUEÑAS
MEGA Fashion Awards 2024 trophies are courtesy of JOSEPH RASTRULLO and PIRASO
Special thanks to NORDIC SPIRIT, HYUNDAI, YAMAHA MOTOR PHILIPPINES, BYS, GRAB, AVIA FINE JEWELRY, and GLUTALIPO