Michael Leyva’s Upcoming 10th Anniversary Gala Fashion Show is a Literal Dream Come True

Michael Leyva’s Upcoming 10th Anniversary Gala Fashion Show is a Literal Dream Come True

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Aptly titled “Hiraya,” the new collection by Michael Leyva will be presented in front of friends and family who have supported him all these years

Fashion designer Michael Leyva never thought he would reach this far in the industry—an industry he didn’t even plan on entering to begin with. But just like what they say in fairytales, the stars have aligned, and what was once a dream when he was just starting is now finally turning into reality.

RELATED: Fashion Designer Michael Leyva On His Most Romantic Collection Yet

In an exclusive interview with the designer himself, Michael shared with MEGA a sneak peek into what we should all look forward to on October 10, 2022, as well as the inspiration and meaning behind his entire collection.

A fantasy no more

Kinakabahan ako talaga nang bongga.” It’s not surprising that Michael Leyva, who is just days away from celebrating his 10th year in the fashion industry, is filled with nerves from head to toe. He even mentioned how he hasn’t been getting that much sleep recently not only because of the amount of things he has to do, but also because he can’t stop thinking about what else there is to get done. However, he is still head-over-heels excited as he’s considering this showcase a thanksgiving and tribute to the people who have helped him grow and be the designer he is today. This long list even includes MEGA as we featured him as a young designer to watch out for when he was still trying to get his footing in the industry about a decade ago.

Here he is

When he shared with us the reason as to why his latest collection is called Hiraya, an ancient Filipino word that means “the fruit of one’s dreams, wishes, and aspirations,” he mentioned that he wanted people to be intrigued and ask themselves what the collection would be like. Apart from it also representing his years-long hopes and dreams that are coming to life, his goal is to make everyone wonder how Hiraya can be shown in various pieces of clothing.

What’s even more exciting is that his gala fashion show will be held at none other than the National Museum of Natural History, a non-negotiable for the designer. The event will be the first-of-its-kind for the museum, and one of the reasons behind it being the perfect location for this grand spectacle is because some of Michael’s pieces are actually inspired by its structural design.

“I’m a designer who always wants to do something na ‘di pa nagagawa.”

Michael Leyva

Expect the unexpected

While he didn’t give a full-blown exposé to try to keep almost everything under wraps, he did reveal to us that his muses—Pia Wurtzbach, Anne Curtis, and Vice Ganda—are all going to be making special appearances alongside an amazing 50-piece collection. “I want to showcase a different Michael Leyva. I’ve been known to design very romantic wedding gowns. Ngayon, I really want to make it different.”

True to his fashion DNA, he is also dedicating this milestone to the man who is the reason behind his 10-year journey—his brother, Brian. To do so, Michael is ensuring that his brother, the original fashion designer in the family, gets the recognition he deserves by creating a special segment just for him.

And once October 10 comes to an end, there’s no doubt in our minds that Michael Leyva’s 10th Anniversary Gala Fashion Show will be the talk of the town.

Images courtesy of MICHAEL LEYVA

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