AFTER showcasing an exquisite collection at the Bower Museum in California in May, Filipino-American couturier Alexis Monsanto was commissioned by the Art Hearts Fashion Production to present his Spring/Summer 2026 Collection at Art Hearts Fashion at New York Fashion Week this September.
Founded in 2010, Art Hearts Fashion is a ‘leading platform dedicated to bringing innovative designers and artists to the forefront of Fashion Weeks in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas.
‘Monsanto’s presentation is theatrical and high fashion. It sets the tone of the evening. He never disappoints,’ said Erik Rosete, the president of AHF who handpicked Monsanto to headline the show at Angel Orenzans Foundation on September 13.
‘It is always an honor to be asked by Erik Rosete to participate, and then to open the most coveted time slot of Saturday evening. I have done several shows with them in the past, and I was told that we needed to maintain the momentum after I was asked to open the Las Vegas swim show,’ said the Misamis Occidental-born Monsanto.
The New York collection, called ‘Chinoiserie,’ is a further exploration of his ‘Qin Court Collection,’ which is in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition ‘World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries’ at the Bowers Museum Orange County in Santa Ana, California, which opened on May 24 and closes on October 19, 2025.
‘The ‘Chinoiserie Collection’ is totally different from what I presented in May at the Bowers Museum, which was all about the Terracotta Warrior exhibition. I expanded it to Oriental art from the 17th and 18th centuries,’ said Monsanto via email. ‘For instance, the hand-painting on the cape I made was all about landscape and scenery from the past centuries. I also infused cherry blossoms on my embroideries in addition to the existing lotus flowers I previously made.’
True to his haute-couture streak, Monsanto showed his signature elegance and timeless feminine style with menswear inspired by ancient Chinese warriors for good measure. Some of his stupendous designs include a black windowpane shift dress with laser-cut cranes, lotus and koi details; a long sleeves nude bodysuit with cherry blossoms embroidery;
A gray men’s three-piece ensemble and black double-breasted suit with turquoise cascading asymmetrical cherry blossoms; an electric blue bi disc laser-cut design cocktail dress with dragon armor; and a fuchsia phoenix gown with laser-cut design in the center with mermaid ostrich feather skirt.
His finale look is an empress gown with a teal origami top with Swarovski crystals-embroidered column skirt and an impasto hand-painted oversized cape with cranes and oriental landscape with Swarovski crystals embroidery detail.
Monsanto, an alumnus of Otis College of Art and Design in LA and founder of the Alexis Monsanto Atelier in Downtown Los Angeles, collaborated with different artisans for the NYFW collection.
‘I gave them a design direction and the color palette, and then they submitted their interpretation. But I approved it before the execution. Last May, I had Van Cleef and Arpels and Delvaux. This season, I wanted to highlight Filipino artisans like Nanette Catigbe, a painter who has done exhibitions at the Virginia Museum of Art; I had Victoria’s Crafts USA manufacture the minaudiere,’ said Monsanto.
‘IXXIA made the jewelry that added the bling in the collection. Jojo Bragais, the Miss Universe official footwear at the pageant, designed the shoes and boots while the head pieces were truly a work of art with this young artisan, Deepkie Restauro from Cebu City,’ he added.
Dubbed Hollywood’s Newest Fashion Expert, Monsanto’s creations have been worn by Hollywood A-listers such as Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Coolidge and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
He admits that presenting a collection in the Big Apple is a mind-blowing experience.
‘NYFW is the most revered in the US like Milan, Paris and London in the fashion calendar with the presence of showrooms and buying offices, as well. LAFW comes next since Los Angeles is the manufacturing capital of the US. Big brands are made here, dye houses operate here and the mills and fabric converters are prevalent in Southern California,’ explained Monsanto.
‘Showing in the Big Apple is totally different because you are in the battlefield with the big brands and I don’t have a lot of allies. I felt like the little David against Goliath,’ he shared. ‘Showing in LA is different. It’s my turf, my territory. I am comfortable and I have lots of help from crew to stylist.’
He is confident, though, that he is fully equipped to be at par with the best in the world.
‘My being a perfectionist is often misunderstood because I am very detail-oriented. I am observant and resourceful and I collaborate and make quick decisions along the way when I need to change course and effectively present innovative ideas to my clients and the target market,’ he stressed.
‘To be a world-class designer, it takes a lot. You have to have strong creative and artistic skills and technical expertise in patterns, draping and construction,’ said Monsanto. ‘On top of that, you have to be business-savvy, ready to adapt to stay current by doing constant research on trends, and have a keen forecasting ability.’