EXCLUSIVE: Dennis Lustico Shows the Power of Restraint in His ‘Pamana’ Collection
As he celebrates 25 years in the industry, Dennis Lustico invited MEGA to his atelier where restraint and strength walk hand in hand
Few designers have mastered the art of soft power like Dennis Lustico. The designer‘s latest collection, Pamana, showcased at the historic Goldenberg Mansion, bears reverence for the heritage and enduring beauty of Filipino craftsmanship. Before that, at his atelier, where serene precision rules, the collection takes shape with quiet firmness. However, it wonderfully compliments Lustico’s idea of silent, imposing beauty.
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Pamana, translating to “legacy”, is an affectionate communication to the narrative that pervades into the fabric, flourish, and form. But it is also Lustico’s story, told through a design philosophy honed over 25 years. This collection showcases his ability to create pieces that are as timeless as they are relevant, in a way that only Lustico can.
A Return to the Process
“I wanted to do everything right.” The creation of Pamana was not just about design, but about rediscovering his love for the slow, deliberate steps it takes to create something lasting. From mood boards to fabric development, Lustico immersed himself fully. “In making Pamana, I fell in love with the creative process all over again.”
This collection, 50 pieces strong, took shape in collaboration with artisans from Aklan, Lumban, and northern Luzon. The designer integrated Indigenous patterns inspired by local flora like gumamela and kalabasa into his fabrics, each carefully considered for its placement. They become pieces that don’t just wear beautifully but carry the weight of cultural storytelling within them.
A Story of Soft and Strong
Throughout his career, Lustico has been celebrated for his ability to marry the delicate with the bold, the soft with the strong. Pamana is no exception. The collection’s color palette—a whisper of lilac here, a soft olive green there, punctuated by flashes of metallic gold and brass—shows Lustico’s mastery of subtle contrasts. These hues, muted yet striking, serve as the intricate details that define the collection.
Silhouettes are fluid yet structured, a reflection of Lustico’s keen eye for balance. Shift dresses, boxy tops, and oversized blouses provide a relaxed base for the rich textures that follow—wooden squares, lacquered and hand-cut, embellished tops, while needlework reminiscent of callado adds depth to the pieces. It’s an ode to the Philippines’ craft heritage, but it’s also very much Lustico: controlled, sophisticated, and quietly powerful.
The use of fringe trimmings, a nod to the bahay na bato’s thatched roof and architectural inspirations from Batanes further bring a sense of groundedness to the collection. It’s a reminder that strength, like fashion, comes in many forms—it can be bold and loud, or it can be understated, soft, and always rooted in history.
The Cool Filipiniana Girl
Lustico has long been a master of reimagining the Filipiniana, and in Pamana, he gives it a modern twist. Imagine a Filipina in hot pink tights, her traditional ensemble juxtaposed with a shock of color that feels entirely now. There’s something almost ’80s in the textured embellishments—shiny, sleek, feathery—and yet it all feels very current, very cool.
Tradition isn’t something to be confined to the past; it’s a living, breathing entity that evolves. And in Pamana, the Filipiniana breathes. It’s in the sleeveless barongs, the playful yet refined skirts, and the effortless way the garments move. Even the men in the collection, with their androgynous touches—hair slicked back, adorned with feathery details—are part of this evolution.
A Legacy That Lives On
As Lustico marks 25 years in the industry, Pamana stands as a reflection of his journey and a vision of the future. It’s a collection that doesn’t shout for attention but draws you in with its quiet confidence. There is no need for shock value here. As Lustico himself says, “I’m no longer interested in impressing others.” After two and a half decades of dressing the country’s elite, he doesn’t have to. The work speaks for itself.
Rich, lush colors—like a jawbreaker you can’t help but savor—mingle with textures that beg to be touched. Feathered details flock together, forming a community within each garment. This isn’t fashion for fashion’s sake; it’s a cultural conversation, an indication that even as we progress, our heritage remains at the heart of who we are.
In Pamana, Lustico has created a legacy of meaning. The pieces are lasting both in their quality and their story. They are, in his words, “pieces you can keep and wear for many years to come.” In that longevity, the legacy of Dennis Lustico—soft yet strong, restrained yet impactful—will live on.
Photographed by GRANT BABIA. Art Direction by ANDREW ENCAPAS. Makeup and Grooming by ALEXIS FUENTES. Hair by GABRIEL VILLEGAS. Shoot Coordination by JOANA FERNANDO
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