Now split between London and Shanghai, British Filipino designer Nicomede Talavera has returned to fashion with “Sacred Journey,” a coed collection that’s meant to reflect his personal growth both spiritually and as a designer in the past three years.
“It means creating in my truth and creating with purpose,” said the Central Saint Martins-trained designer, who first broke onto the London fashion scene more than a decade ago with a fresh take on men’s silhouettes while nodding to his multicultural upbringing.
Many ups and downs later, Talavera said he remains focused on his minimalist and multicultural vision, and fall 2026 represented “a natural progression” coming out of his cross-continent way of life, his recent reconnection with the creative scene in the Philippines, and business insights gained over many consultancy projects.
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To him, the Philippines provided emotional and cultural backing, particularly for the womenswear debut, with Vogue Philippines being a key supporter, which he confessed he didn’t really have growing up in the U.K.
At the same time, Shanghai emerged as a hub for manufacturing innovation and experimentation, which allowed him to go deeper with knitwear and create hardware for accessories, such as belts, while staying at a competitive price point.
For fall 2026, he looked at the still-life paintings of Filipino modernist artist Arturo Luz’s “Boxes and Shells” series, repurposing shells and forming beautiful mother-of-pearl and cowrie shell embroideries, which complemented Talavera’s signature sartorial details like hook and eye fastenings, deconstructed collars and twisted plackets, angular lapel tailoring and sock-like collars.
The women’s range, which stemmed from a curiosity about form and wonderful women in his life, featured crinkled sheer tops, shorts and skirts with pinch details, an oversize top made with iridescent hand-sewn pin tuck embroideries, and a slew of dresses and accompanying headpieces in bold, geometric shapes.