Upcycled fashion defined this year’s Retashow: QC’s Runway to Sustainability—Kidswear Edition, as local designers presented imaginative children’s clothing crafted from discarded fabric and textile scraps.
Held at the Quantum Skyview Activity Center in Gateway Mall 2, the Quezon City Government-led event celebrated Earth Month by promoting environmental awareness through creativity and conscious fashion.
This year’s theme focused on reducing textile waste while reintroducing the art of reuse—through clothes made for children, designed by emerging creatives from different barangays.
“Through their creativity, these designers show that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said during the program. “This isn’t just about clothes—it’s about changing the way we consume and produce.”
Six standout designers were awarded for their sustainable creations, including Nard Patrick Redoble of Barangay Commonwealth, Nichole Samson of Barangay Apolonio Samson, Attorney Katherine Añonuevo of Barangay Sikatuna Village, Ma. Joy Pauline Castillano of Barangay Talipapa, Hazel Roldan of Barangay Batasan Hills, and Neil Bryan Capistrano of Barangay Bagong Pag-asa.
Their designs were brought to life by young models, aged 7 to 13, who walked the runway in garments made from upcycled materials—ranging from fabric scraps and denim cuttings to household textiles.
The result is stylish yet meaningful pieces that emphasize creativity, sustainability, and community pride.
Belmonte called on residents to normalize wearing and re-wearing clothes and to be more mindful of how fashion choices impact the planet.
She also highlighted the city’s Kilo/s Kyusi program, which collects donated clothes and resells them by the kilo to fund educational support for students.
Since launching, the program has diverted over four tons of textile waste from landfills and upcycled 700 kilos through community artisans.
“Filipinos have always reused and repurposed—long before sustainability became a global trend,” Belmonte said.
“What we’re doing now is simply celebrating and elevating that culture.”
The Retashow is now in its second year and continues to grow in scope and message. From a single grand winner in its debut, this year’s edition honored six outstanding designers and encouraged wider community participation.
“Retashow is more than fashion,” Belmonte said.
“It’s about sparking conversations, changing perspectives, and inspiring action—one piece of clothing at a time.”
