Acclaimed Filipino fashion designer JC Buendia has always been drawn to artistry and design. As early as five-years-old, he was already sketching dresses inspired by Disney princesses. He didn’t have a sketchbook, so he used his mother’s prescription pad. He was a dutiful son who followed the family tradition, when he entered a pre-med course for university. However, he quickly decided that it really wasn’t for him. Buendia made the decision to move to interior design, because it was the only course at the time that offered a fashion class.

Today, JC Buendia is known as one of the country’s most celebrated couturiers, crafting sophisticated and timeless designs that pay homage to the rich fashion heritage of the Philippines. The designer’s unmatched skill for creating specifically Filipino silhouettes has rightfully earned him the reputation as a true master of his craft.

This coming March 2024, Buendia’s designs can be seen on stage in Ballet Philippines’ production of LIMANG DAAN. The ballet, which follows the struggles of different Filipinas over the timespan of 500 years, is the ideal project for the acclaimed fashion figure who has dressed generations of Pinay women. “Late last year, [Ballet Philippines President] Kathleen Liechtenstein offered me to do the costumes for LIMANG DAAN, knowing that I specialize in Filipiniana,” he shared. “I believe collaborations with different artists in different mediums are giving the industry new energy. It elevates fashion to an art form and creates memorable images that go beyond a season.”

Buendia has created costumes for the theatre in the past. He observes, “Designing for [ballet] dancers is technically challenging, as you have to consider big movements and comfort.” His research process for LIMANG DAAN’s costumes had to be thorough and thoughtful. Not only did he have to create functional garments for an entire dance company, he also had to keep in mind LIMANG DAAN’s storyline, which spans over 500 years.

The ballet opens in modern day New York City, but quickly travels to other time periods such as Pre-colonial Philippines and even the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. “I did my research on the look of the characters, but also kept in mind the mobility of the costumes,” he says. “Color and silhouette are important factors to consider in designing period clothing. Color defines the characters, while the silhouettes define eras, bringing the audience to time travel.”

For the ballet, Buendia kept his signature Filipiniana silhouettes for most of the costumes. However, he tweaked the fabrication and proportions to create the illusion of scale and luminosity on stage. Costumes for main characters were mostly crafted using organdy and beaded tulle. While designing, Buenda also paid close attention to the play of light against and through fabrics.

When asked how different it was designing for the ballet compared to creating pieces for the runaway, Buendia admits: “Making a collection for the runaway is quite the same. You’re also telling a story. Designing for clients is similar because you think of each person’s unique character [and] the roles they play in real life.”

Read more about the stunning fashion of JC Buendia's Limang Daan costumes in this exclusive feature on Mega Magazine