Fashion is often described as wearable art, but in Joel Wijangco’s world, it’s more than that. For him, it’s a memoir you can literally step into! The avant-garde footwear designer and art provocateur has unveiled his latest creations at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati, and they’re unlike anything you’ve ever seen on a runway (or at least I have). Imagine shoes that double as sculptures, conversation pieces, and cultural commentaries—all handcrafted, all deeply personal.

The exhibit is part of Art2Wear, a showcase where design and art converge in wearable form. Paired with haute couture designer Steve De Leon’s indigenous and faith-driven couture, Wijangco’s shoes push the boundaries of fashion as storytelling.

Shoes with Soul (and Sometimes Teeth)

Walking through Wijangco’s collection feels like entering a dreamscape that’s equal parts surreal, humorous, and haunting. His over 25 handcrafted pairs range from playful pop culture tributes to deeply introspective memoirs. This includes jaw-dropping, almost cartoonish pieces: Boots with giant red lips and teeth, striped heels with glossy kiss marks, and even ramen noodle stilettos mid–noodle lift. They’re equal parts whimsical and uncanny, perfect examples of Wijangco’s belief that “Each pair is a story… sometimes mine, sometimes borrowed, always intimate and strange.”

Some of the highlights:

• Sister’s Favorite – A noodle-inspired heel made during his sister’s breast cancer journey. The swirling pasta strands represent both comfort and the winding path of recovery.
• Bond(age) – A striking ox-red stiletto with six buckles and a golden halo, satirizing the complexities of lifelong commitment.
• Osuang – A gothic heel inspired by Filipino vampire folklore, reflecting colonial anxieties around Filipina sensuality.
• Palengkera No. 1 – An ode to the strong, loud, and fearless fishwife Amazons of Malabon’s wet markets.
• Fitting ni Sioning – Based on a tender shoe fitting with his grandmother, peeling back decades of sharpness to reveal a softer side.

Every heel, buckle, and sculpted detail invites you to question beauty norms and the absurdities of the fashion world. As he puts it, his process is less about trends and more about creating a narrative you can literally walk in.

Joel Wijangco’s latest works are now on display at the Yuchengco Museum, G/F RCBC Plaza, Makati City, as part of Art2Wear. The exhibit runs until October 15, 2025, and admission is free.

For more information, visit yuchengcomuseum.org.

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