22 September 2025
Two pioneers in Philippine fashion education have come together in a landmark partnership. SLIM’s Fashion and Arts School, known for its couture-level training and technical precision, has officially joined Benilde, home to the country’s first bachelor’s degree in fashion and a growing ecosystem of creative disciplines. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 5 at the College’s Design + Arts Campus.
Representing SLIM’s were Mark Lewis Higgins and Chit Nocom-Arciaga. Signing on behalf of Benilde were Brother President Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC, Chancellor Benhur Ong, and Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Lacson.
With the agreement in place, SLIM’s will continue offering its specialized programs in fashion design and patternmaking under Benilde’s School of Environment and Design. The move preserves SLIM’s proprietary curriculum and archives while opening new possibilities through Benilde’s academic platforms and creative networks. Benilde’s own Fashion Design and Merchandising program, established in 1996, is the first bachelor’s degree in fashion in the country and adds depth to the partnership’s academic and industry relevance.
“This is not just a merger,” said Brother Edmundo. “It’s a custodianship. SLIM’s is a national patrimony, and we’re honored to be entrusted with its legacy. We want to make its training accessible to more students, especially those who come from middle-class backgrounds and aspire to build careers in fashion.”
Mark Higgins, son of SLIM’s founder Salvación Lim Higgins, shared that the decision to entrust the school to Benilde was shaped by shared values and a long-term vision. “We weren’t just looking for a partner,” he said. “We were looking for a community that understands the dignity of making. Benilde has the infrastructure, the heart, and the commitment to carry SLIM’s forward.”
Christine Benet, incoming director of SLIM’s under Benilde, emphasized that the school’s identity as a builder’s guild will remain central. “SLIM’s has always been about precision, discipline, and honoring the craft,” she said. “We’re expanding into arts and design, but the core remains, we train makers, not just dreamers.”
The integration also connects SLIM’s archives to the upcoming Benilde Fashion Museum, a dedicated space for Philippine fashion heritage housed in the historic Miguel Febres Cordero Building. The museum will feature garments, sketches, and original materials from SLIM’s and other iconic Filipino designers, offering students and researchers a deeper understanding of the country’s design legacy.
The event wrapped up with a fashion show featuring pieces by Benilde FDM alumni Daryl Maat, Zanjoe dela Peña, Rospert Villar, and Samantha Raymundo, each showcasing the kind of craftsmanship both schools stand for. The unveiling of the new Benilde-SLIM’s logo opened a new chapter rooted in heritage, innovation, and inclusive design.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
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