Lifestyle forecasts for 2025: Meaningful & mindful trends

As we start the new year, the country’s top style makers seem to weave a common thread of meaningful design, purposeful living, a consciousness of waste, and a solution-seeking mindset to the many challenges that face us.

Whether it’s finding ways to live with traffic or to make our homes more welcoming, eschewing fast fashion for well-crafted wear, or putting the spotlight on lesser known but deserving Filipino artists, there’s a premium on what is truly valuable—our time and our families, our well-being and the planet we call home.

In a chaotic world, whatever brings us comfort and nostalgia will keep us anchored.

Here, our trendsetting designers in the fields of architecture and art, furnishing and fashion, food and entertainment, share their forecasts for 2025.

Lisa Periquet, Co-founder, Art Fair Philippines

We will probably see a continuation of developments in the area of digital art. There have been leaps and bounds in digital art techniques and equipment as the years go by. What seemed difficult to do before, say, projections on buildings, are all within easier reach these days. 

Preoccupations with global issues such as human rights, climate change, and the environment, for example, will be reflected in art, naturally, as they always have, through the years. 

It’s become easier to transact and buy things online, and I’m sure this will continue, even with art. Auction houses are a big beneficiary of this form of art buying.

There is a lot of interest as well in multi-media art. For example, textile art is on the rise everywhere, it seems. Pacita Abad’s trapunto works are a prime example, and they have propelled her into the art scene globally.

Trickie Lopa, Co-founder, Art Fair Philippines

I feel 2024 continued to honor the work of women artists whose work were previously overshadowed by their male colleagues. Going hand in hand with this is the respect accorded to textiles and fabric work, as most practitioners of this art form were these particular women. Pacita Abad is the Filipino artist who best exemplifies this. This trajectory started a few years ago, and, I feel, reached its pinnacle this year.

I think 2025 will continue to recognize the achievement of women, while at the same time, look more to Southeast Asia. And you have Thailand leading the way, with Bangkok shaping up as the city where very exciting developments are happening.

In October, during Frieze London, a themed section called Smoke put together ceramic works from artists not from the usual Western city centers. So I feel there will be continued attention from both artists from more low-key parts of the globe, as well with work in this medium of ceramics and stoneware.

On the other side of the spectrum, as a counterpoint to the tactile, handcrafted work of ceramics, we will likely have even more conversations on AI and its issues and impact on the visual arts work from our side of the world.

Dindin Araneta, Co-founder, Art Fair Philippines

One contemporary art trend that will continue would be more exhibitions on ecology and nature with themes on climate change and agriculture. Another trend is contemporary art that showcases a fusion of art and science such as sound art or AI. 

What I hope to see in 2025 are more curated exhibitions on design held in local institutions like museums or schools.

The background is a projection by Sydney-based indigenous artist Daniel Boyd for Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 and installed off-site at Pacific Place mall.

Jaime Ponce de Leon, Director, León Gallery

2025 will be the year of “something old, something new”—reflecting challenges brought about by AI while collectors will veer towards distinctive, stereotypical works of their favorite established artists.

Here are my top trends for the coming year:

• The return of 19th-century art. This is in line with the forthcoming exhibition at the Prado Museum in Madrid of Filipino painters active during the Spanish colonial period. That will be another blockbuster and with it an increasing interest in the more established names such as Luna and Hidalgo.
• Traction for more of the 13 Moderns. Interestingly, the Philippine modernist movement is also moving into the spotlight, for such artists as Galo Ocampo and Nena Saguil.
• Artists of the Sixties and Seventies will come into their own. The success of the Onib Olmedo book, Onib and Me, by Bettina Olmedo, published by Leon Gallery, established Onib as the true mentor of a generation of artists like Elmer Borlongan and Manny Garibay.
• Amid the challenges of AI, there will be a growing interest in photography. On the auction side, we’ve seen record prices for 19th century photography (such as the Hidalgo photos recently acquired by the National Museum). But contemporary photography will also receive deserved attention. Mark Nicdao’s photos, for example, have been acquired by the Getty Museum. And very recently, there was institutional interest for Jes Aznar’s photograph in the recent Leon Gallery auction. 
• More single-owner auctions. Leon Gallery started this trend with the Paterno and Legarda auctions and we’ll see more of that in 2025.
• And more Filipino treasures to come home. The recent exhibition at the Asian Civilizations Museum of the Manila -Acapulco trade has ignited interest in repatriating those wares sent to the west.”

Kenneth Cobonpue, Furniture designer

Comfort, wellness and relaxation are key requirements for a home. The trend for light-colored organic and round-shaped furniture will continue but will eventually give way to structure, richer patterns, textures and bold colors. Warm colors will dominate with red as an underlying tone. So expect to see more of burgundy, wine red, rust and terracotta. Modern minimalism will also give way to interiors that have nostalgia and character, even very personal and individualistic ones. Hold on to those vintage pieces, antiques and classical furniture that show the beauty of natural materials and craftsmanship.

J Gamboa, Chef and restaurateur

For 2025, I think we can see more premium and upscale restaurant concepts serving the following:

• More specialty Japanese restaurant concepts, serving limited menus of yakitori, sushi, tempura and curry.
• More steak houses, serving versions of Japanese, Italian, American and South American steak concepts. 
• More chef-centric restaurants with tasting menus using local or foraged ingredients. With more collaborations with international chefs and brands. 
• More sake and sochu appreciation and understanding as more people visit Japan.

Gaita Fores, Chef and restaurateur

There is an increasing revival of indigenous and heritage food alongside traditional regional dishes. Sometimes, given a contemporary twist, these dishes reconnect local diners to the country’s rich culinary roots while drawing in tourists looking for something authentic and unique.

More Filipinos are seeking accessible luxury dining—high-quality, high-concept dining experiences—that don’t break the bank, or are too lengthy and drawn out as tasting menus. Creative restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs are stepping up by offering dishes made with premium ingredients and presented with flair, all at reasonable prices. 

Lastly, Filipinos have an appetite for global flavors, with Asian ingredients like gochujang, sambal, yuzu, and kimchi or even Filipino flavors and ingredients like gamet, etag, diwal biasong or palapa finding their way into everyday meals. This openness to experimenting with bold, international tastes reflects Filipino diners’ broader curiosity and evolving palate.”

Audie Gemora, Actor and theater personality

2024 was a busy year for theater but 2025 promises to be even more so. Touring shows from abroad, English-speaking productions, as well a Filipino originals are in the offing. There are two new venues poised to open, Proscenium in Rockwell and the renovated Meralco Theater.

The trend will be the rise of the next generation of theater practitioners taking the lead in every aspect of theater. Trumpets is bringing back its forever hit Joseph The Dreamer mid-year and the much-awaited revival of the mega musical The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe last quarter of the year.

Lulu Tan Gan, Fashion designer

In general, I believe there are two opposing lifestyle trends emerging: the wasteful, consumption-driven group, and the mindful, sustainable, and functional group. 

The latter emphasizes practices such as holistic personal styling, celebrating individuality, and investing in high-quality, durable products. In beauty, the focus is shifting towards enhancing individuality rather than conforming to uniform standards. Additionally, primal fitness is gaining traction, promoting natural, functional movement as a core aspect of wellness.
Ultimately, embracing spirituality is essential!

Josie Natori, Fashion designer

I think we’re all trying to be more positive since the last year was tough for everyone, even for the luxury market. People are going to go for value, for items that have multiple uses, that can go from day to night. They want less waste.

So I think the new trend is to be more purposeful. There’s an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. But timelessness doesn’t mean old looking, it also has to be modern.

Consumers are more practical now. There’s so much of everything and we don’t really need so much of anything. They are looking for ways where you can live with less.

To provide value, fashion has to grab you. There has to be an emotional appeal to it so that you buy not because you need it, but because you want it.

For spring, Josie Natori’s color palette includes pastels in shades of pink flamingo and lemongrass. The look is soft, feminine and very appealing.

Joey Samson, Fashion designer

The demure style of dressing—think timeless pieces with high-collar detail.

Layering and the unexpected mix of colors and patterns. Investing in the right layering pieces is key. Everything brown and burgundy will dominate. Dresses over pants—this has always been a personal favorite of mine. Menswear for women, a timeless trend that never goes out of style.

Ramon Antonio, Architect

My forecast in homes for 2025 includes:

• More practical homes with easy maintenance.
• Homes with natural cross ventilation, more energy savings.
• Lots of outdoor spaces, the introduction of pocket gardens.
• More round corners on counters or even on furnishings, having senior citizens and young kids in mind. 
• A more relaxed feeling of interiors.
• Design focus and scheme, a mix match which blends different design periods and eras in harmony

Paolo Alcazaren, Landscape architect and urban planner

I see four trends in developments that focus on bringing living and work spaces closer together. Based on the lessons learned from COVID, they also are a means to cope with traffic.

The first trend we’re seeing are that townships will be the norm for housing.

Today’s townships are taking the place of the towns that we had in the old days, 50 to 100 years ago, and you can find them all the way to Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas. In the past, developers built subdivisions with individual house and lots, and clubhouses that featured pools and other amenities. Today, instead of a clubhouse you’ll have a pavilion with non-denominational services, and either a swimming pool or a pickleball court. Government services would be offered such as SSS and LTO. Schools may also be embedded since the townships also target starter families.

The second trend is also called TOD, Transit-Oriented Development.

The developments are built along the routes of mass transit including the MRT 7, LRT 1 extension and the subway. Private developers are looking to tap into the rail-based routes.

Millennials and younger Filipinos are shifting away from cars. With the subway being completed in three years time, there is a demand for housing in areas like Estancia and Capitol Commons. Condominiums around these areas are not part of the bubble that will take three years to sell.

The third trend will see the continued rise of towers around university areas such as Katipunan and UP, as well as UST, and the University Belt in Manila. From 10 years ago to today, 20 to 24 condominiums have risen in each of these districts as parents prefer their kids to live closer to where they study rather than have to commute.

In the fourth trend, dormitels or dormitory-type condominiums will increase around the business districts of old Manila, Makati, Taguig, Ortigas, the Araneta Center, TriNoma, and Alabang. This is because 90 percent of the people working in these area have to commute.

The last trend is on the high end, where those who can afford will live in condos closer to their work from Monday to Friday, then escape on weekends to a second home with a view of lakes, or the sea or mountains. Aside from Taal Lake, people are looking at Calatagan, Laiya, the area around Villa Escudero. People who can will pay a premium for a place with a good view. Some of the areas around golf courses that were built in the Nineties are now picking up. Then going up north, there is La Union which is now only three hours away, and all along the coast of Pangasinan.

A mini trend would be the urban townships like Bridgetown, or the Linx, a string of developments along the C-5 that include Eastwood and Eton Centris.