Make and Mend! Ends Three-Episode Run with a Powerful Message on Sustainable Fashion

The three-part reality lifestyle program Make and Mend! officially concluded its production and airing run, leaving audiences with a renewed perspective on the relationship between sustainability and fashion. In its premiere episode, the show introduced a bold challenge that tasked three designers to create high-fashion runway ensembles using only secondhand materials sourced from local ukay shops. To raise the stakes further, each contestant had to stay within a strict five-hundred-peso budget. Stepping up to the challenge were Aivann Romero of Ateneo de Manila University, Ian Dave Allam of Far Eastern University, and Mary Joanne Ordoña of University of Santo Tomas.

Each designer entered the competition determined to demonstrate that sustainability and high fashion could coexist without compromising artistic vision. The competition went beyond the studio in the second episode, immersing viewers in the realities of Filipino commuting culture. The designers traveled to their chosen ukay-ukay locations by ordinary public transportation, with Aivann riding a tricycle to Bambang, Ian boarding a jeepney to Recto, and Joanne navigating the familiar streets of España on foot. 

Meanwhile, inside the studio, hosts Danna and Cheki were joined by fashion consultant and CEO Ms. Marion Solon, whose expert insights guided viewers through the fast-paced and often overwhelming experience of thrift shopping. Despite the pressure and unpredictability of the hunt, all three contestants successfully gathered the materials they needed for the competition. For the show’s major design challenge, the contestants were instructed to interpret the theme “Peak Hours: What It Takes to Get There”. To critique the designers’ work, the program assembled a progressive panel of judges composed of Ms. Marion Solon, rising fashion designer Reese Latonio, and filmmaker and costume designer Cris Cao.

Reese Latonio recently debuted his namesake fashion label through his graduation collection, Sidlak, while Cris Cao built his creative foundation through his work with Project 8 Projects. Together, the panel evaluated how effectively the designers translated personal narratives into wearable art. The grand runway presentation served as the culmination of the competition, with every contestant unveiling pieces that reflected unique stories and perspectives. Aivann’s creation, Bound by the Rush, portrayed the suffocating nature of urban commuting through a constricting corset silhouette, distressed vertical lines inspired by railway tracks, and a clock-inspired handbag symbolizing the persistence required of daily commuters.

Her emotionally resonant presentation earned her the Runway Regal award for best stage presence. Ian secured the Haul of Fame award for his impressive collection of thrifted materials. His design paid tribute to provincial students who leave their hometowns to pursue opportunities in Manila.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional banga, his garment incorporated fading provincial tones to represent the sacrifices, struggles, and emotional weight of leaving behind his home in Santa Maria, Isabela. In the end, Joanne emerged as the competition’s overall winner, earning both the Mending Maestro award for technical excellence and the grand title of Most Iconic Ukay Royalty. Inspired by the utilitarian aesthetic of Renan Pacson, her modern Filipiniana ensemble utilized rigid denim fabrics to echo the exhaustion and discomfort of long commutes. Spiral accents symbolized endless rush-hour queues, eyelets represented overcrowded transportation systems, and authentic receipts highlighted the financial strain that accompanies everyday labor and travel.

Through its inventive challenges and emotionally grounded storytelling, Make and Mend! successfully reframed ukay-ukay culture as more than just an affordable shopping experience. The show positioned thrifting as a stylish, practical, and environmentally conscious response to the growing global sustainability crisis. At the end, M&M Studios delivered a compelling reminder that the future of fashion lies in sustainability, and that true style is defined not merely by appearance, but by purpose and intention.