With this year’s collection drawing inspiration from 20th-century Filipino artists whose works have impacted the landscape of Philippine art in remarkable ways, the much-anticipated Ternocon 2025 showcased a fusion of Filipino identity, fashion and art.

The event highlighted the works of 12 talented emerging designers, including a collection by mentor Rhett Eala.

Meditative art in monochrome

Rhett’s collection was a visual tribute as inspired by the masterpieces of national artist Lao Lianben.

Known for his adept use of texture and form, the designer captured Lianben’s pensive and meditative style by employing structured silhouettes with fluid elements to evoke shadows in a monochrome palette.

His collection featured a harmonious blend of organic patterns that moves with motion, bringing tranquility and depth to the design.

Layered shadows and moving lines

The collection was a testament to Rhett’s prodigious ability to fuse art and fashion. Each piece paid homage to a meditative approach of Zen, while exuding refinement, elegance and layered movements in the garments.

As Eala’s art inspiration had been documented to entail layering of different textures to capture the right balance of light, shadow and texture, you can see this echoed in the collections’ play with the layers of fabrics capturing movement with soft tensions and swaying lines.

Watching the models glide along the runway in an array of monochromatic hues, Rhett translated the contemplative and serene Zen art into garments embodying both modernity and tradition, bridging his love for the Terno and the wearability of it for the modern times.