A fashion competition is about those who dare to dream the loudest. When the Cebu Young Designers Competition (CYDC) 2025 opened its doors in September 2024, it summoned visionaries from across the region to bring their artistry to the fore.
Thirty-six answered the call until their numbers gradually whittled down to eight. Then came March 22, 2025, the night when talent and ambition intertwined at SM J Mall’s The Atrium. And after 13 long years, history was rewritten as a Cebuana designer rose to claim the top title.
Grand winner
Sarah Tutor, a student from the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, emerged as the grand winner of the CYDC 2025 with her debut couture collection, “Hosanna.” While first attempts are rarely perfect for most people, for Sarah, this moment was nothing short of divine.
“This collection is inspired by a story from the Bible — when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, and people welcomed Him by waving palm branches,” she explained. Tying into the significance of Palm Sunday in March, her designs symbolized devotion.
Rooted in her passion for quilting and patchwork, Sarah’s designs told a story of faith and nature intertwined. Palm-inspired patterns appeared in fringes, sculpted cutouts and sweeping drapes, while voluminous layers mirrored the sway of palm leaves in the wind.
“When you make a collection, it feels like it’s all about you. Sometimes, you get burned out thinking about yourself, about winning, about how tired you are. But when you focus on gracefulness, all of that doesn’t matter. I really wanted this to be biblical and that helped make everything easier,” shared Sarah.
Sarah also had Cebuano renowned designer Bree Esplanada as her mentor. She shared how much he has helped her, both as a teacher and a mentor. “I would often attend his shows and he would invite me to his, too. Because of that, we built a strong rapport. I got really close to him — it just clicked, like where we’d say, ‘Let’s do this and that,’” shared Sarah.
Runners-up
Sarah’s “Hosanna” collection truly deserved the crown and the competition also celebrated a new generation of Cebuano talent. Thanks to CYDC’s fresh format, King Rosales — mentored by Pinky Magalona — secured first runner-up, while Caesy Coronel, under the guidance of Lory Mer Villareal, clinched second runner-up and the Best in Creative Direction award.
The runway also came alive with boundary-pushing creations from Joshua Chiong (mentored by Hanz Coquilla), who won Oro China’s Jewelry Design Challenge, along with Johara Mina Mala Ara (Mike Yapching), Steven Cyrus (Valerie Alvez) and John Ivan Galochino (Mel Maria).
In the Group Styling Challenge, the winning team of Johara Mina, Sarah, John Ivan and King demonstrated their flair for collaboration and cohesive storytelling through fashion.
Industry involvement
A marketing session with Oro China Jewelry’s senior marketing manager, Jewel Jalandoni-Camomot, and a Q&A with Protacio and Cary Santiago kicked off December 2024. January 2025 followed with a two-day workshop featuring business insights from Oro China Jewelry’s president, Harry Ty, and a styling challenge with Josei Cuizon and Miss Universe Philippines-Cebu 2024 winner, Gabbi Carballo.
In collaboration with Oro China Jewelry, the Clothes for Life Foundation and Cebu’s top fashion designers, the competition reinforced its mission of nurturing fresh talent and providing them with platforms.
A competition of this caliber called for a jury of industry experts as well. This year’s panel included fashion designer and master couturier Cary Santiago, photographer and Fuji brand ambassador Jan Gonzales, entrepreneur and content creator Vern Enciso, Cebu’s premium fashion show director Direk Junjet Primor and Love and Diamonds creative director Hope Ty.
By reuniting past winners as mentors and welcoming fresh talent into the fold, it created a bridge between generations of Cebuano designers. With new creatives stepping up and seasoned experts guiding them, CYDC 2025 reinforced Cebu’s reputation as the powerhouse of big names in design.