By Tito Mike
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- An Iliganon designer who now calls Cagayan de Oro home is bringing his brand to the Big Apple this coming September in a bid to bring Mindanaoan design to the global stage
Christopher L. Gomez, Creative Director of Chris Gomez Design Studio, is one of Northern Mindanao’s senior designers who’s a multi-disciplinary creative and advocate of Sustainable Design, has been selected as one of 12 brands vetted by the US Accessories Council for FASHIONPhilippines New York 2026.
FASHIONPhilippines-New York 2026, an international mentorship and showcase initiative, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) in partnership with the US Accessories Council, aims to elevate Filipino fashion brands on the global stage.
Defined by craftsmanship and guided by a contemporary design perspective, FASHIONPhilippines New York 2026 presents a curated cohort of brands shaping the evolving voice of Filipino design on the global stage. These brands will undergo a focused business development journey to refine their brand identity and align with the US market—all culminating in a highly anticipated exhibition in New York City during NY Fashion Week.
“We are proud to announce the official launch of our brand (Chris Gomez Design Studio) at Fashion Philippines New York 2026 — a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and contemporary design on a global stage. Thank you US Accessories Council and Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (CITEM) for this opportunity,” Gomez posted in his social media account.
The CITEM infographic describes Chris Gomez works as “merging architectural structure with handcrafted precision, creating statement accessories that balance sculptural form, material innovation, and contemporary edge.”
“So excited to bring my brand to the right platform. Thankful also for CITEM for these opportunities. I think it’s always the dream of every designer to showcase and meet the right people in the global stage. Been planning to do rare woven fabrics from inaul and take it into a global appeal. I’m also collaborating with metal smith and jewelers for my clasp. My goal is to bring all these Designs, craftsmanship and local materials (Bamboo, Laguindingan Silk, and Woven Fabrics ) to the global Fashion scene,” Gomez said.
Inaul is a traditional handwoven fabric from the Maguindanao people in the Philippines, often used for the malong (tube skirt) and regarded as a symbol of royalty and pride. Handwoven from silk, rayon, and cotton threads, it features intricate, vibrant patterns. The fabric is highly valued for its durability, lasting decades with proper care.
Chris Gomez Design Studio
A multi-award-winning Filipino artist, Gomez has been active in the country’s design circuit, winning the grand prize in the water based media category of the 2012 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) Awards, and the Habi Kadayawan Design Competition in the Fashion Accessories Commercial Category in 2023, in which he was also a Finalist in 2019.
Among his many other laurels are Finalist, 2011 National Philippine Art Awards; Finalist, 2014 Look of Style Awards (British Council/Look Magazine); and recipient of 5th Metrobank Foundation Award for Continuing Excellence in Service (ACES) in 2024 for commitment to helping cultivate art and design in Mindanao as a multi-awarded multi-disciplinary artist, continuously persevering by working outside his comfort zone, while using his creativity as a tool to connect and support diverse communities in Mindanao.
Product Development Mentoring
Gomez is also recognized for his work in product development and as a mentor to practicing designers and artisans all over Mindanao. He is actively involved in the local design community, advocating for creative development and helping designers navigate career challenges.
FASHIONPhilippines-New York 2026
A fashion capital is a city with major influence on the international fashion scene, from history, heritage, designers, trends, and styles, to manufacturing innovation and retailing of fashion products, including events such as fashion weeks, fashion council awards, and trade fairs that together, generate significant economic output.
With exquisite fashion heritage, structured organization, and the most vaunted fashion designers of the 20th century, four cities are considered the main fashion capitals of the 21st century. Called the Big Four, the most prominent fashion capitals of the world—in chronological order of their eponymous fashion weeks, are New York City, London, Milan, and Paris.
FASHIONPhilippines—New York 2026, organized by CITEM and the US Accessories Council, will showcase curated Philippine manufacturers and designers on September 9-11, 2026, at the Accessories Council Trade Showspace, New York City.
The initiative features a three-phase program (April–October 2026) involving digital mentorship, product development, and on-site buyer matching for U.S. market entry, aimed atpositioning Filipino fashion and accessory brands for sustained commercial success in the global, particularly U.S., market.
Phase 1 (April–June 2026) coversDigital mentorship on U.S. retail standards, pricing, and compliance. Phase 2 (July–August 2026) will focus on Product development and brand positioning consultations, and Phase 3 (September–October 2026) will feature on-site coaching, trade showcase, and buyer matching.
Mentorship
The program features a “vanguard of mentors’ to guide Filipino designers on global growth and product evolution.
Among the mentors are Vanessa Urenda (Chief Omni Channel Officer), Frances Cole Jones (Author and Speaker, Media Coach), Roman Ramirez (Director, Commercial Strategy, BluSpark), Andrew Rotondi (Chief Operations/Information Officer, Dynamic Worldwide Logistics, Inc.), Karen Giberson (President & CEO of the Accessories Council, & Editor-in-Chief, AC Magazine), Beth Goldstein (Executive Director & Industry Analyst, Circana), Patricia Leto (SVP, GMM, Doneger Group), and Lisa Metcalf (CEO, Ten Yards Network).
“We started last week and our next session will be this coming Tuesday,” Gomez said. “All of them will be our mentors. We will undergo consultation one by one. They also have several topics each for online, then consultation after. We will also present our design collection to them, before production for the showcase this September.”
As a Product Development Mentor accredited by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, and a Product Design Specialist of Design Center Philippines (DCP), Chris has been a mentor to Kagay-anon designers eyeing to break the glass ceiling that has constrained them from attaining their full potential and define a Kagay-anon Design Paradigm instantly recognizable anywhere in the world.
Prof. Ricardo Jorge S. Caluen, one of the founders of the Sidlak Iligan Artists Group and a long-time friend of Gomez, expressed his delight at this development.
“Chris Gomez is a breath of fresh air to come from Mindanao. He is the toast not only of Mindanao but the entire Philippines for his brand is one of only 12 chosen as participants at the fashion event of the year in New York City. I knew about Chris long before I met him and became good friends. Local artists had praised his willingness to share his creative gifts. Something good could really come from Mindanao after all.”
In his role as a designer, Gomez has contributed significantly to the development of MSMEs in Mindanao through product design and development. He has also actively participated in national design mentoring projects, such as the One Town One Product (OTOP) Manlilikha Designers Course, and the Certificate Program for Design Competency Course, aimed at nurturing new designers to meet the region’s growing demand.
Gomez’s commitment to excellence and innovation is further demonstrated through his ownership of Chris Gomez Design Studio, where he and his team create acclaimed bags, home, and fashion accessories.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Gomez remains deeply involved in community development. He co-founded Lunâ (meaning a parcel of land or space in Bisaya), a curated retail store, creative space, for artists and designers, who want to be part of the growing creative community in Cagayan de Oro, and FORMA (Vibrant Mindanao Design Commune), a curated showcase featuring art, homestyle and fashion pieces from esteemed artists and designers from the island of Mindanao.
His leadership as co-chairman of the Kagay-an Misamis Creative Council (KaMi Creatives) highlights his dedication to fostering regional creativity, envisioning Mindanao as a vibrant center of artistic expression and economic growth. Additionally, he actively organizes art exhibitions and participates in art talks, contributing to the cultural enrichment of his hometown and beyond.
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