By Marane A. Plaza
Since its conception in 1997, Philippine Fashion Week has been the longest-running and most notable industry platform for Filipino fashion designers, offering a unified and solid support to clothing creators and fashion creatives. Founded by the legendary Espino brothers, both Joey and Audie have given opportunities to a number of prominent Filipino fashion designers to date, such as Michael Cinco and Albert Andrada, to maximize PhFW as their springboard toward global fame.
During the peak of its biannual fashion show events, PhFW was able to bring in popular style movers from across the world. Huge reality stars such as Kylie Jenner and Robert Kardashian once walked the runway of PhFW, even Gossip Girl queen Leighton Meester and America’s Next Top Model alum Allison Harvard strutted down the Philippine Fashion Week. Fashion heavyweights Nina Garcia and Katie Ford also visited the country and amongst those who sat at the front row of PhFW to check out the best of Philippine fashion.
And then came the slowing down, then the pandemic break, and the full-blown hiatus…
The founders of PhFW had to regroup in terms of how they view the industry fashion event in terms of its impact on the business of Philippine fashion.
In October 2024, the Philippine Fashion Week made a bold statement about its comeback. This time, under the new management under Amorada Inc., with a new Chief Vision Officer: Nikky Nicandro III.
Working with the Espino brothers to turn Philippine Fashion Week into a hub for creatives, Philippine Fashion Week has aimed to give platforms to all Filipino talents and not just designers, expanding to include six other lifestyle segments besides fashion: home, travel, dining, beverages, arts & entertainment, and wellness.
Chocolate Meets Couture: New Toblerone Truffles Make a Bold Statement at Philippine Fashion Week
Instead of the usual 3-7 days of fashion presentations, PhFW came back with a one-day event, focused on the chicness and exclusivity of the style soirée.
Toblerone, the legendary Swiss triangular chocolate, came as the main presenter of Philippine Fashion Week’s comeback during the last quarter of 2025. Filipino fashion stars such as stylist Liz Uy, photographer BJ Pascual, and actress Janine Gutierrez graced the red carpet of the event and sat at the front row to witness the unveiling of this season’s featured designers.
The event saw the introduction of Toblerone Never Square, a premium line of Toblerone chocolates in limitless shape– away from the usual triangular shape of the sweet treat.
Jaggy Glarino was among the three fashion designers who have interpreted the new shape of Toblerone Never Square into sihlouette inspiration for his runway capsule collection for Philippine Fashion Week’s comeback.
“When Toblerone told us to make creations based on Toblerone’s ‘Never Square’ product line and campaign, I immediately thought of my love for architecture. I thought of the ‘patina of rust’ in terms of color, and the corrugated metal when it comes to silhouettes. inspired by architecture,” Jaggy told STYLISH.
“I’ve always been known for over-the-top embellishments and silhouettes, but for this capsule collection, I went for designs that were more stripped down and laidback. I wanted to show how good my background is in terms of tailoring. I used the color terracotta, inspired by chocolate. I believe this color is so expensive and chic, and apt for what I was going for.”
Jaggy never thought he could still experience for himself the magic of the runway of Philippine Fashion Week.
“I thought I missed the era of Philippine Fashion Week, and that I’d never be part of it anymore. I grew up as a gay kid brushing through the magazine pages and reading about Philippine Fashion Week. I looked up to designers like Jerome Salaya Ang, so I am stoked that I presented by capsule runway collection with him. For ‘reinvent the runway’ efforts of Philippine Fashion Week presented by Toblerone, I am happy and proud to be part of this comeback. i was so sad years ago thinking I was never gonna be part of the PhFWw era anymore. And now, here we are.”
The iconic triangular chocolate is making a monumental shift with the Philippine debut of Toblerone Truffles. These striking, diamond-shaped creations are the brand’s first innovation to move beyond the iconic triangle, signaling a new era of luxurious indulgence for Filipino consumers. Crafted with a smooth milk chocolate shell and a velvety center featuring the brand’s signature honey and almond nougat, the truffles made their debut on the runway through an exclusive collaboration with Philippine Fashion Week.
The partnership perfectly embodies Toblerone’s “Never Square” philosophy, a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the courage to defy convention that deeply resonates with modern consumers.
“We’re excited to bring Toblerone Truffles to the Philippines, introducing a new level of chocolate indulgence,” says Adrian Manlapig, Marketing Head of Mondel?z International Philippines. “This milestone marks Toblerone’s first innovation to launch in a domestic market in Asia.”
Signaling a New Kind of Indulgence
Toblerone Truffles honor the brand’s rich heritage while unveiling a fresh expression of craftsmanship and creativity. Each diamond-shaped piece offers a taste and texture experience that redefines chocolate pleasure. It is also designed for deeply personal moments of indulgence, crafted to be savored, unwrapped, and enjoyed on one’s own terms.
More than a sweet treat, Toblerone Truffles are a bold expression of the brand’s “Never Square” philosophy. Think of Toblerone Truffles as the brand’s couture edition, crafted for those who dare to be “Never Square.”
“‘Never Square’ is about challenging conventions and celebrating one’s true, unique self,” says Crystal Muriel Balili-Lanot, Senior Category Marketing Manager for Snacks at Mondel?z International Philippines. “It’s a mindset of daring to be different, and the Toblerone Truffles, with their unconventional diamond shape, perfectly capture that belief. Life is too rich and varied to be contained in a square box.”
Chocolate and Couture in Harmony on the Runway
Fashion has long been a space for self-expression and challenging stereotypes. Given the diamond shape, unique texture, and indulgent taste experience of the Toblerone Truffles, partnering with Philippine Fashion Week for the launch of the Toblerone Truffles was a natural step for the brand.
“The partnership with Philippine Fashion Week is rooted in our shared passion for originality and fearless self-expression,” says Balili-Lanot. “Fashion and chocolate, at their core, are forms of artistry and indulgence. This collaboration allowed us to powerfully showcase how ‘Never Square’ can be beautifully and creatively expressed through exceptional Filipino talent with global ambition.”
“We’ve always dedicated our platform to Filipino designers who are unafraid to challenge convention,” says Nikky Nicandro, Chief Vision Officer of Philippine Fashion Week. “The ‘Never Square’ campaign is a bold declaration of that shared vision. We were thrilled to give our designers the freedom to interpret this philosophy, resulting in a display of local artistry that is distinctly bold, luxurious, and ready for the global stage.”
This collaboration came to life on October 15, 2025, at the Ayala Museum, under the theme “Diamond Heist.” The entire event was a meticulously crafted spectacle, directly inspired by the Toblerone Truffles’ exquisite diamond shape and luxurious appeal. Guests arrived in their boldest “Never Square” looks, setting the stage for sartorial disruption on the gold carpet entrance. Inside, the luxury continued with a special vault experience where guests can try the precious Toblerone Truffles before the runway show.
Taking inspiration from the Toblerone Truffles and the brand’s “Never Square” philosophy, Toblerone and Philippine Fashion Week enlisted three (3) of today’s esteemed fashion designers to create exclusive five-piece collections that brought the campaign’s mission to the runway.
Jaggy Glarino broke the rules of tailoring and drapery by merging them. His collection explored architectural elements blended with earthy and copper tones, resulting in sculptural yet dynamic pieces. His signature look—a spiral pattern dress with a deconstructed vest—was bold, unconventional, and a true original.
Ram Silva’s collection celebrated the silent power and mystery of femininity. Through intricate embellishments, restrained elegance, and a palette of deep plum and maroon, he explored the balance of strength and softness. His standout piece mirrored the surprise and drama inside every Toblerone Truffle.
For Jerome Salaya Ang, “Never Square” meant embracing a state of transformation, which his collection perfectly captured. On the runway were designs that flowed along the natural curves of the body, sculpted organza, and leather ensembles. His hero piece—a diamond-cut patterned cocoon top and pants—echoed the boldness of the new sweet treat.
The grand finale of each designer’s five-piece collection included an unexpected, tasteful twist: a model wearing a unique accessory featuring the Toblerone Truffles themselves, making a clear statement that the new diamond-shaped indulgence is unapologetically Never Square.
Unwrap a Diamond of Your Own
With the launch of Toblerone Truffles, the iconic chocolate brand proves that chocolate, much like fashion, is an ever-evolving platform for creativity and self-expression.
Toblerone Truffles are now available in leading supermarkets nationwide and on Lazada, Shopee and TikTok Shop.
And remember, true indulgence isn’t just tasted—it’s experienced, one diamond bite at a time.
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KC Concepcion is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now. The actress, singer, jewelry designer, entrepreneur, and UN ambassador is back with a fresh perspective on how to take on the new phase of her business.
Read the Stylish Magazine November-December 2025 cover story here.
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