The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2025 - Issue 37

bitefashion A fter making her first dress at ten years old, Cho- na Bacaoco, born on the sun-drenched island of Guimaras, Iloilo in the Philippines, known for its pristine beaches and the world’s sweetest man- goes, wanted to be a designer. She was beading dresses and tracing patterns at her village seamstress mother’s tailoring shop two years before. “I didn’t even know that fashion designers and clothing brands existed,” she said in an interview with The Filipino Expat Magazine. When Chona told her mother that she wanted to study dressmaking after high school, she said, “Look at me; do you want your life to be like this?” The family had eight children, and her parents struggled to put food on the ta- ble. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in commerce, she moved to Hong Kong, where she worked and start- ed a family. After they relocated to Italy, Chona initially struggled. “I suffered with cultural difference, language barrier, and people don’t speak English over there.” Her determination to overcome obstacles led her to es- tablish the talent agency MM Milano in 2016. “I needed to do something for others and myself to stay sane.” Two years later, she evolved into fashion design when one of the designers her agency represented pulled out of a show, leaving her to find a way to produce 30 dresses on short notice. Her mother helped. “I was panicking during a call to my mom, and she said, ‘Chona, did you forget? Your mom’s a dressmaker. Come home; I’ll help you and teach you more.” MM Milano’s creations incorporate traditional Filipino hand-woven materials, such as hablon and pineapple silk, blended with innovative, upcycled textiles from Italy. These designs showcase the founder’s dream of elevat- ing her homeland’s artistry and providing new opportuni- ties for local wearers. In collaboration with the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Chona organ- ised workshops focused on sustainable cultivation and farming, empowering rural Filipino communities. The brand’s catwalk shows often feature diverse models, such as children, elders, and differently abled individuals strutting down the runway with unapologetic joy. “People want to see two-metre-tall models,” she once quipped. “But I’d go for an 83-year-old man or a 4-year-old child. It still looks super professional.” One such octogenarian was Frank Lam, who modelled MM Milano suits on the runway at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in New York City’s Lower East Side during New York Fashion Week in 2021. MM Milano unveiled their ‘Metamorphosis’ collection in Los Angeles Fashion Week 2022. It repositioned the moth from a shadowed understudy to a radiant protag- onist, celebrating its overlooked beauty and complex symbolism. While butterflies are typically the darlings of transformation metaphors, Chona chose the moth for its quiet resilience and nocturnal mystique. “Moths need to have their own identity,” she said. “It’s time for the world to know that moths are existing”. The show opened with animated moths fluttering across a digital backdrop, setting the tone for a multisensory ex- perience. From fuchsia and neon green to fiery orange, the vibrant palette mimicked the iridescence and camou- flage of moth wings in elegant dresses, long coats, and suits. One of the standout looks was a cap-sleeved pink dress with a moth-inspired headdress. Another was the Golden Wings Moth Suit shimmering with contrast black and gold iridescent tones. The designer dressed Drusilla Gucci, the great-grand- daughter of Guccio Gucci, at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 and collaborated with couture royalty Michael Cin- co on a children’s line presented by MM Milano talents. She showcased her New York Fashion Week 2024 debut with a new collection, ‘Shooting Stars’, powered by Art Hearts Fashion. The organisation supports diverse and inclusive designers and artists, bringing them to the fore- front of Fashion Week events. Chona Bacaoco Milano created exquisite glamorous dresses and bridal gowns to honour those battling can- cer for its ‘Weightless Collection’. The designs are craft- ed from lightweight Italian taffeta, breathable fabrics that feel comfortable and allow for ease of movement. “These dresses are designed for cancer patients to feel beautiful and confident without adding extra weight to their fragile bodies. This way, they can feel beautiful, confident, and included in such a special event.” The brand, renamed MM Milano Fashion House, cham- pions Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) val- ues, merging high-end fashion with global talent, music, and film production. During Dubai World Fashion Week 2020, it organised an ESG workshop for young talent and their facilities, creating a space for learning and sharing experiences. Other talents have graced prestigious plat- forms, including participation in a top Netflix movie with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston and appearances on the Disney Channel. One of its most notable initiatives is its talent develop- ment program, “I AM’, designed to support talents in professional and personal growth. A recent collaboration between Chona and MM Milano Talent Pluto, who co-cre- ated the PLUTO Collection, saw a futuristic, genderless, and sustainable line made from upcycled and innovative materials from Europe and the Philippines. This ground- breaking collection was showcased at Paris and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks alongside celebrity designer Michael Cinco. Another remarkable event was the HOME of Fashion Week Texas in Hidalgo in June 2021, which promoted In- clusion, one of its core pillars. The event brought talents from the US and Mexico, uniting communities across borders to celebrate diversity. The brand is also active- ly involved in charity initiatives like the Back-to-School Project in the Philippines, which helps children in local communities access education.