LOOK: Francis Libran's outfit sketches for the First Couple at the 2026 ASEAN Summit
Renowned Filipino designer Francis Libiran has been tapped to create the official attire for President Bongbong Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and the wife of the Thai Prime Minister for the ASEAN Summit's main event in Cebu.
For Marcos, Libiran has sketched three distinct Barong Tagalogs. One design features intricate callado fabric with meticulous embroidery on the front panel, collar, and cuffs.
The other two designs utilize traditional piña fabric. One emphasizes a "timeless, understated elegance" through refined vertical woven patterns, while the other focuses on "classic embroidered patterns" to maintain a deeply traditional look.
The designs for the First Lady and the Thai Prime Minister’s wife are equally evocative, consisting of three custom Filipiniana gowns. The first is a rich orchid-hued gown featuring architectural hand-embroidery and butterfly sleeves made from Yakan woven fabric from Basilan.
The second gown is a dedicated tribute to Southern Philippine culture, crafted from Yakan fabric known for its bold, nature-inspired geometric patterns.
The third option uses callado fabric using hand-embroidered architectural patterns on the bodice and sleeves.
Working in collaboration with Likhang Filipino—an organization dedicated to elevating local textiles onto the global stage—Libiran and 14 other Filipino designers were provided with fabrics from local weavers to showcase the best of Philippine craftsmanship as they dress the heads of state and their spouses.
Marcos will chair the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting this Friday, convening regional heads of state and representatives.
Among the expected attendees are Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Other key leaders include Prime Ministers Lê Minh Hưng(Vietnam), Hun Manet (Cambodia), Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia), Lawrence Wong (Singapore), and Anutin Charnvirakul (Thailand). Myanmar will be represented by Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary U Hau Khan Sum, alongside delegates from Laos.
Libiran is a celebrated local fashion designer. Over his 20-year career, he has dressed international celebrities, Filipino beauty queens, and Olympic athletes. He also gained global recognition by collaborating with Tyra Banks on America's Next Top Model, where he showcased his "Hello Kitty Couture Collection" in 2012 and his "Creatures of the Night" line in 2015.
Libiran also showcased his work at Los Angeles Fashion Week, alongside designing winning gowns for Filipina pageant queens like Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez.