Teng Surisantos Breaks the Mold with Customizable Menswear Graduation Collection
A new standard has been set as Teng Surisantos becomes the first menswear designer to be named Designer of the Year for his graduation collection at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines
Fashion often feels as rigid as a poorly constructed shirt collar, but Teng Surisantos unravels those constraints—and then adds much more. Recently awarded the first-ever menswear designer to win Designer of the Year at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines in its 21-year history, Surisantos’ graduation collection offers a spirited take on Japanese street style, invested with modular and customizable elements that bring a whole new layer of playfulness to menswear.
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Through Four Seasons
Surisantos found his creative spark in Japan. “Before graduation class started, I was in Tokyo for a vacation,” he recounts, blending leisure and research seamlessly. “What resonated to me was how Japanese street style blends traditional elements with contemporary style.” Instead of opting for a singular vision, Teng interpreted Japan’s four seasons, creating looks that transform as the cherry blossoms bloom and fall.
Another inspiration for his designs also came from an unexpected source: Crocs. Love them or hate them, there’s no denying Crocs’ customization potential. “I have this love-hate relationship with Crocs. I am not a fan of its appearance, but I like how they can be customized by putting Jibbits on it,” the designer explains. Drawing from this whimsical accessory, he applied the same ethos to his garments, crafting a collection that’s modular and customizable.
“I used button-snaps as per the idea of Jibbits,” he elaborates. “I made some pockets, floral appliqué, charm embellishments, and bows that can be transferred to any looks you prefer!” He placed emphasis on an idea where your outfit is as fluid as your mood—essentially a buffet where you can mix and match until your heart’s content.
Customization is the Vision
Individual expression is paramount, and customization in fashion is proving to not just be a fad. “Including customizability in my collection was important because it aligns with the growing demand for individuality in fashion,” Surisantos asserts. He’s right: today’s consumers aren’t pleased with cookie-cutter appearances; they want clothes that reflect their individual style and beliefs.
This approach promotes sustainability too. “Customizable designs empower consumers,” he continues, “to express their identity in a more meaningful way, adapting their wardrobe to ever-changing trends and personal tastes.” More than just a clever concept, this approach enhances the emotional connection people have with their clothing. By encouraging longer-lasting wear and adaptability, Surisantos’ collection taps into pieces that evolve as they create a wardrobe that’s as flexible as the person wearing it.
Now that he’s claimed the title, what’s next for the rising creative? “I want to pursue and enhance my craft as a menswear designer,” he shares. Far from resting on his laurels, Teng envisions collaborations that push boundaries and ignite conversations around inclusivity in menswear. In an industry that often sidelines the ‘lesser’ gender, his ambition to innovate and elevate feels refreshing and necessary.
Insights from a Creative Chief
As a judge in the deliberations, MEGA Creative Chief Patrick Ty saw something special in Surisantos’ collection. “Teng’s collection was elegant, contemporary, relevant, and well-executed,” he notes. His praise isn’t just flattery, but relies on the designer’s painstaking artistry.
What set Surisantos apart? “What appealed to me the most was the referential quality of the collection,” Ty explains. “It was well-studied, apparent, but most importantly, it was kept modern.” It’s an ideal alignment of fundamental inspiration and cutting-edge innovation.
Ty’s observations also provide light on a watershed moment for menswear. “To be very honest, while judging, I did not see his collection as just menswear,” he admits. “It was more than that.” Teng’s designs broke free from the limitations that were typically imposed on men’s fashion, converting them into assets that spoke to contemporary culture.
The modular and changeable components were critical in this progression. “We all want clothes we can customize to our own style,” Ty says, identifying the trend toward customization in fashion as a major change in how we approach our wardrobes.
With his playful, innovative approach to customization, Teng Surisantos is reshaping—literally—what it means to dress like a man in today’s world. Clothing nowadays has become an opportunity to experiment, personalize, and redefine your look. As Teng himself puts it, “These were clothes of today.” And today is looking more promising than ever for menswear.
Photos: TENG SURISANTOS and MEGA ARCHIVES
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