The Vogue Philippines anniversary gala honored the magazine’s journey in art and fashion and brought together celebrities, influencers, and key business leaders.

The publishing industry continues to thrive despite the rise of online publications and e-magazines, given that expected revenue from 2023 to 2027 is forecasted to have an annual growth rate of 1.58%. This means a projected market volume of US$448.9 million (around PHP 25.38 billion) and increased readership in the newspaper and magazine market to 55.2 million in the Philippines by 2027.

Yes, print is not dead. And echoing this sentiment are well-loved titles that remain at the forefront of traditional reading paraphernalia. Among these is Vogue—one of the world’s top fashion magazines.

A year after this renowned magazine made its way to the country, Vogue Philippines held its first-anniversary gala to highlight its journey in art and fashion. Set to the theme of “Common Threads: Re/Creating Fashion,” the event housed some of the country’s finest at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City last August 29, 2023. 

Event Highlights: Vogue Gala 2023

Aside from the art installations and interior design, the night was made more special with the culinary excellence of renowned Chef Margarita Forés—Asia’s best female chef in 2016—in collaboration with Shangri-La BGC’s Chef Joris Rycken and Chef Carlo Huerta.

The theme “Common Threads: Re/Creating Fashion” was chosen to highlight culture, identity, heritage, and modernity—with the main event including the unveiling of this year’s September issue, thus marking the first anniversary of Vogue Philippines.

“Our main fashion story, Origins, was shot in Batanes, the northernmost province in the Philippines. Here we explored a fashion story rooted in craft, through reworked vintage and upcycling, with fashion-forward pieces from emerging designers and established global brands,” says Editor-in-Chief Bea Valdes. 

“In the northern highlands, we weave a story on high craft and handmade. We revisit and reinforce the heritage of our fashion identity which is rooted in the artisanal,” adds Fashion Director Pam Quiñones. “This story is an invitation to rethink fashion, to go back to the past to see our future.”

To emphasize, Features Editor Audrey Carpio shares, “In Batanes, we saw something of ourselves that we lost—our deep connection to nature, our spiritual kinship with one another, or perhaps all of the above: a way of living that gives to the world as much as it takes from it.”

Business Leaders Spotted at Vogue’s Anniversary Gala

The Vogue Philippines anniversary gala was graced by celebrities, influencers, and some of the country’s top business people. These include:

Mike Miranda, Network Operations Support of Mastercard; Alma Gruenberg-Aldip, VP of BPI; Frances Gail Male, SVP of Metrobank; Simon Calasanz, Country Manager of Mastercard Philippines; Mags Vasquez-Surtida, SVP of Asia United Bank; Mia Tamayo, SVP of Eastwest Bank; and Chris Quiros First Vice President of Mastercard

Yanina Noviskaya, CEO of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania

Stephen and Loli Sy, President and CEO and Executive Vice President of Focus Global

Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls

Stanley Ng, President and COO of Philippine Airlines

Dra. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho, CEO and Managing Director of Belo Medical Group

Dr. Z Teo and Dra. Aivee Aguilar Teo, CEO and President and Medical Director of Aivee Group

Dr. Steve Mark Gan, Founder of GAOC Dental

Chris Cachuela (CEO of Avignon Clinic) and Benedict Sy, CEO, President, and Co-Founders of Avignon Clinic

Nikki Tang, CEO of DMark Beauty and DermAsia

Marilou Pena Koa, Founder and CEO of Euro Mode Inc. 

Ana de Ocampo, Founder of WildFlour

Florence Ko, President and Co-Founder of Furnitalia

Benjamin Baguingan II, CEO of The Med Club Health Group, Dr. Ralph Figaroa de las Alas, President of Urban Smiles, and Anna Magkawas, Founder and CEO of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group