After a three-year hiatus, the MEGA Fashion Awards makes a grand return, honoring the creatives who propel the fashion industry to greater heights
There’s a certain grandeur to fashion and beauty that captures our gaze. It could be the novelty of trends, the emergence of local talent, or anything else that piques our curiosity. Either way, one thing is clear: all is owed to the visionaries who make things happen. A champion of Filipino excellence, MEGA lauds the industry’s finest—veterans and newcomers alike—for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields and the paths they’ve paved for the creatives to come. Here’s how they were celebrated at this year’s MEGA Fashion Awards (MFA) 2024.
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The fourth iteration of the MEGA Fashion Awards was more than a sartorial affair. It was a summit of luminaries, reminiscent of a class reunion, featuring top creatives and the industry’s promising neophytes. With “Resurgence” as its theme, it returns to celebrate the collaborative and ever-evolving landscape of Philippine fashion and beauty.
A MEGA Welcome
The evening unfolded in the Globe Auditorium of the Maybank Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art space that hosts some of the most notable productions and events in the metro. Upon arrival, guests stepped out of their stylish cars, courtesy of Hyundai, and were greeted with a larger-than-life Gobo light, extending a grand and bold welcome in true MEGA fashion.
Frame-Worthy Snaps in Every Corner
With a lineup of guests clad in their glamorous black-and-silver ensembles, every moment was a picture-perfect opportunity. It was only fitting that a selection of sophisticated vignettes from MEGA, Nordic Spirit, and Yamaha lined the halls to capture and immortalize each display of style.
A Delectable Start
As a prelude to the official program, attendees were treated to a delectable grazing spread from Barcino, enjoying an assortment of croquettes, artisan cheeses, canapés, and more. These tasty bites were paired with well-crafted drinks from The Black Box, such as amaretto sour, gin & tonic, dirty martini, and old-fashioned cocktails. It was a real treat for the palate and a smooth setting for guests to mingle, priming them for the spectacular night ahead.
A Show-Stopping Act
What better way to kick off than with a powerful burst of energy? It was love at first beat as Filipino dance group G-Force took the stage and performed an electrifying dance rendition of “Moonlight” by SB19, Ian Asher, and Terry Zhong. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the performance seamlessly revealed the hosts of the night, Michelle Marquez-Dee and Raymond Gutierrez.
A vision in silver and black respectively, Michelle and Raymond entered the spotlight and greeted the audience with their signature charm. Beyond being seasoned professionals in the industry, the pair emerged as the perfect hosts for the night, embodying the values of a true MEGA personality: empowering, purposeful, and proudly Filipino.
Revisiting Fashion’s Finest Moments
Guests were taken on a trip down memory lane led by MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro, reminiscing previous renders of the MFA and its beginnings. “True to its values and DNA, the MFA was created to recognize the best of the best of Filipino fashion and beyond—from the newest kids on the block to the pioneers who paved the way,” she detailed.
She cited iconic names in fashion—from Inno Sotto to Joey Samson—and expressed that though the landscape of Philippine fashion remains the same, it has also seen drastic, but definitely more positive changes. “It’s different because it is undergoing a resurgence fueled by a new generation of creatives,” said the Editor-in-Chief.
Amid ebbs and flows, Philippine fashion remains as iconic as ever, and the MFA is here to stay in celebration of the talented creatives behind it.
A Recognition of Rising Stars
The awarding ceremony began by honoring up-and-coming industry leaders: the nominees and winners of The Next category. With the perennial rise of emerging talents in fashion and beauty, MEGA celebrates the creatives that chart the course for tomorrow’s trends.
Crowned the next big talents are Bethany Talbot, Renz Reyes, Don’t Blame the Kids (DBTK), Jharwin Castañeda, Angeline Dela Cruz, Dale Mallari, Roko Arceo, and Lucky Beauty.
Honoring Influence and Impact
Influence has become a key driver of fashion’s growth and evolution. Through the connections formed with their fans and supporters, these creatives have rightfully earned their spot as society’s most influential.
MEGA applauds the winners of the Most Influential category, Pia Wurtzbach, Lierge Perey, PATTON, BYS, Calvin Klein, Vice Cosmetics, SB19, and Shopee, as decided by the online crowd in a public voting system.
A Salute to the Best
The world set for the newest generations of creatives to explore is broader than ever, and they only have the shoulders of the giants to thank. MEGA acknowledges the best of fashion and beauty—the industry’s top talents that have shaped and continue to redefine Filipino excellence.
The honorees for The Best category are Raymond Santiago, Mickey See, Eldzs Mejia, Charisma Lico, MEETKESO, Maria Isabela Garcia, Justine Arcega-Bumanlag, Nadine Lustre, RJ Santos, Carl Jan Cruz, Joey Samson, Michael Leyva, Rajo Laurel, PROUDRACE, Mark Bumgarner, Neil Felipp, Kelvin Morales, Ivarluski Aseron, Anne Curtis, Chapters, BENCH, and Kathryn Bernardo’s April 2024 cover.
The Pioneers of Tomorrow
The creative industry runs on the forward thinkers who dare to break the mold. This year, the MEGA Fashion Awards introduced the Disruptors category to recognize those who have challenged existing norms and set new standards in their respective fields.
Brimming with talent and innovation are this year’s Disruptors: Kyle Echarri, Michelle Marquez Dee, Vince Uy, SB19, BINI, and Vestido.
A Moment for the MEGA Icon
As the night drew to a close, the MEGA Icon was revealed. This award was given to the epitome of a true MEGA woman whose influence and legacy go beyond mere face or name. Every move she makes is unforgettable, walking the world’s stage with power, style, and a proud representation of Filipino grace.
This year’s MEGA Icon is Heart Evangelista.
Of Celebration and Connections
Though it was a grand event with hundreds in attendance, the MEGA Fashion Awards had an intimate, almost familial feel, like a warm reunion among friends; in many ways, it was. Creatives mingled and shared candid moments with one another, snapping quick photos between applause.
Backstage, it was a whole new world of its own. Winners posed with their trophies, and the cameras captured their real, unfiltered emotions– from proud smiles and teary pride to the sheer look of shock.
Wrapping Up with a Nightcap
The festivities didn’t end with the awards; they simply continued in Bank Bar, an intimate and stylish space tucked away inside a quaint 7/11 store. The celebration was filled with hearty laughs, dancing, and an overflow of drinks courtesy of Nordic Spirit.
Stars like Nadine Lustre, Kyle Echarri, Angelina Cruz, and Jessica Yang, along with many other creatives, from stylists to models, reveled in the lively atmosphere, enjoying the company of friends and fellow talents.
MEGA’s journey is driven by incredible talent, and the MFA was a homage to those who’ve brought it this far. While the trophies and applause were certainly the highlight, nothing compares to the sense of community and shared celebration that binds everyone together. MEGA has always understood this by recognizing that the faces and forces behind the scenes are the ones that keep the pulse of fashion alive.
At the end of the day, one thing is made clear: the industry is nothing without the creatives who make it happen, and MEGA stands front and center to honor every bit of them.
Photographed by TIMOTHY DUENAS, KIERAN PUNAY, ED SIMON, KIM SANTOS, and EXCEL PANLAQUE; Photos: BJ PASCUAL, LYN ALUMNO, JANICA CLETO, and LORENZO CORRO (via Instagram)
Special thanks to NORDIC SPIRIT, HYUNDAI, YAMAHA MOTOR PHILIPPINES, BYS, GRAB, AVIA FINE JEWELRY, and GLUTALIP
