JHAY LAYSON: Making a mark in fashion

Updated 11 January 2020

At the start last of the new decade, international designer Jhay Layson is in the thick of preparing his new collections for three important fashion events: the Manhattan Fashion Week 2020 in February, the Asia Pacific Fashion Week in Los Angeles(April 25 to May 3), and the "Best of the Islands (Luxe tour)" series in San Diego, Seattle and Montreal in May.

Fresh from the success of his shows at the 2019 Philippine Fashion Week in Manila, the Manhattan Fashion Week 2019 the Best of the Islands (Luxe tour) in Europe and US West Coast last year.

Jhay is indeed on a roll. These days, he is considered as one of the Philippines’ most emerging fashion designers, with his creations having been worn by celebrities, models and other luminaries.

Designer Jhay Layson during a shoot of his sartorial collection for men in Rome, October 2019.

THE RED COLLECTION at the "Best of the Islands: Luxe Fashion" show in Kristiansand, Norway (October 2019).

But the young designer is ready to do more, create more, design more, and achieve greater heights in 2020.

"I am so grateful for being given this international exposure. God is so good", Jhay shares in an interview.

The "LUXE Montreal: The Best of the Islands" show -- slated May 23, 2020 -- is mounted by the Federation of Filipino Canadian Associations of Quebec, Inc.

Jhay, always easy to get along with and ever easy to approach, has conquered – in the space of less than a year – what other designers can only dream of in a lifetime: to do a series of shows in Europe (last quarter of 2019), a photo shoot with an international photographer in Paris, and a touring show in America.

After his US stint last year, his sartorial line of tailored men’s clothes also found their way at the finale of Pinoy Big Brother, which paved the way for more celebrity clients to come marching into his atelier.

Jhay’s career kicked off in 2011 when he joined the 2nd season of “Fashion Crew: Gen M” the search for the quintessential fashion crew, which was aired on TV. The search was spearheaded by the country’s pioneer fashion magazine, Mega Magazine, and it aimed to discover talented individuals whose skills are vital in putting together a fresh, forward and artistic fashion editorial for the magazine.

Thus began Jhay’s career in styling for various editorials, TV talents, advertising campaigns, pageants and, sometimes, even politicians.

Initially, he specialized in styling for men, which he aptly labeled “sartorial elegance”. Jhay’s sartorial signature remains evident today, now that he has forayed into full-fledged fashion designing.

His unique point-of-view in fashion attracted the attention of Designer Circle Philippines (DCP), the elite, “by invitation only” guild of top Filipino fashion designers. Jhay has been an active member of DCP since 2018.

Jhay is also the brains and creative force behind TCMI, a full-service training academy for aspiring models, a photography studio, a talent management agency and a curated depository of formal wear – all under one roof.

Filipina supermodel Jasmine Maierhofer wearing one of Jhay Layson's sartorial creations unveiled at Philippine Fashion Week, June 2019.

Jhay Layson stays true to his "sartorial" vision, with these looks unveiled at the Philippine Fashion Week, June 2019.

LUXE fashion: the Jhay Layson aesthetics connote luxury and opulence.

The finale look at Jhay Layson's Philippine Fashion Week 2019 collection.

BUSY AS EVER: Jhay Layson at work.

Jhay Layson at the conclusion of his maiden collection for Philippine Fashion Week holiday 2019.

The exquisite, "sartorial" style of Jhay Layson menswear.

COVER BOY: Italian-Brazilian model Vinicius Bergamine de Souza for Counting Stars Homme August 2019. Suit by Jhay Layson.

WINNERS: Man of the World winner and Mister International winner, both wearing Jhay Layson.

The TCMI academy serves as the home of Jhay Layson's atelier.

Jhay Layson interprets the 1920's "old Hollywood glam" in Catwalk Philippines, the search for oustanding Filipino fashion models.

Jhay Layson living it up in the world's fashion capital, New York City, June 2019.

BEST OF THE ISLANDS | LUXE SUMMER: Austin City in Texas became the launchpad of this US tour, featuring emerging designers from America and the Philippines, including Jhay Layson. May 2019.

Jhay Layson at the conclusion of his successful solo show in North Hollywood, May 2019.

The Jhay Layson kids: young models from Texas strut their stuff on the runway, during the opening show of "Best of the Islands | Luxe Summer Fashion" in Austin, May 2019, organized by Mrs. Gigi Hobson.

International singer Christian Bautista wears Jhay Layson ensembles.

Filipino actor Rayver Cruz wearing suits from the sartorial collection of Jhay Layson.

Jhay Layson with young Filipino actor, Albie Casino.

Jhay Layson with Filipino singer, dancer and host, Luke Conde.

Jhay Layson with Anthony Jennings, one of the stars of the 2019 Filipino blockbuster movie, "Hello, Love, Goodbye".

Jhay Layson with Filipino actor, model and television host, Geoff Eigenmann.

Jhay Layson with Ryan Bang, Koren-born talent who is very popular in the Philippines, being one of the hosts of ABS-CBN's "Showtime" variety program on TV.

Jin Macapagal, a 24-year-old from Cebu City who is the first-ever winner of "BidaMan"(the "It's Showtime" talent search dedicated to finding an actor who could be the next big thing in Philippine showbiz) wears a Jhay Layson "sartorial" creation..

MEN IN BLACK: the male housemates of Pinoy Big Brother OTSO, wearing black formals from the Jhay Layson atelier.

Jhay Layson was allowed entry into the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house, as he would be "suiting up" some of the finalists of PBB Otso finale night, held in July 2019.

Jhay Layson's TCMI Fashion Academy International offers modelling scholarships to male and female teenagers with huge potential to become a professional models.

Miss Universe Canada 2019 finalist, Jean Nicole de Jesus, in a Jhay Layson cocktail dress.

Wendy Valdez, former beauty queen and TV actress, wears a Jhay Layson "Filipiniana" creation.

Faith Bautista, president of National Asian American Coalition, in a Jhay Layson sartorial collection, as she co-emcees a California-based TV program called “Owning a Piece of America”, which aims to empower immigrant families in America by giving resources to the voiceless, and embracing the complexity and diversity of their heritage.