Aquino, Jennica

Aquino, Jennica
@jennicalynnel

Eyes on Me is inspired by the concept of facial dysmorphia—a complex perception of one’s own facial features. The collection offers a personal interpretation informed by research on the experiences of individuals living with facial dysmorphia—their emotions, perspectives, and the ways they see themselves. It explores themes of identity, self-perception, and the many ways we see ourselves. Focused on faces and the distortions of self-image, the collection embraces the raw, intricate beauty found in individuality.

My name is Jennica Lynnel Aquino, a Fashion Design and Merchandising student at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. My journey in fashion began with a deep passion for art, which continues to influence my work today. Portrait sketching is my forte—I’m drawn to faces because each one tells a unique story through its features and individuality. This love for human expression often inspires my designs and artistic process. I specialize in textile manipulation, particularly beading, embroidery, and hand painting. My creations are crafted for bold, individualistic women who appreciate artful, avant-garde pieces.

When I first presented my sketches and explained the techniques I planned to use for Eyes on Me, some people doubted whether I could actually make the collection work, which honestly made me question myself too. However, when we began creating the pieces, it became possible because of the tremendous help and support from my family. I knew from the start that I couldn’t do everything alone, so I wasn’t afraid to ask for help, and having such a talented family truly made a big difference. One of my favorite parts of this journey was being able to create something meaningful with them. Although techniques like beading, hand painting, and fabric manipulation take a lot of time, I love their intricacy and the depth they add to the story and concept, and this experience helped me realize that this is the kind of designer I want to be— someone who creates meaningful and intricately made pieces that people can proudly wear.