As Atelier Debbie Co celebrates 21 years, the designer revisits one of her earliest influences and reaffirms her belief that elegance is meant to be lived in, not just reserved for special occasions.
Afternoon tea, but make it tropical.
Somewhere between an English garden party and a sun-drenched afternoon in the tropics lives Jardin du Soleil, Debbie Co’s Resort ’26 collection. Recently unveiled at Manila House, the collection found the perfect backdrop in the private club’s elegant interiors, where every delightful, whimsical detail echoed the mood of the clothes themselves.
It was, quite simply, pure eye candy.
Inspired by Debbie’s years studying at Central Saint Martins in London, Jardin du Soleil revisits the timeless rituals of British afternoon tea but swaps stiff formality for something decidedly more relaxed, while still breathing elegance. Think: finely tailored day dresses, delicate lace, soft corsetry, flowing skirts, and botanical prints inspired by hibiscus and palm leaves — all rendered in a palette of coral, mango, golden yellow, fresh green and soft ivory that looked as though it had bottled sunshine.
I especially appreciated how the collection didn’t feel costume-y or overly precious, never tipping into over-the-top. Instead, Debbie distilled British refinement through a distinctly tropical lens, creating pieces that feel polished without being fussy, feminine without trying too hard, and elegant without demanding a special occasion. They’re the kind of clothes that would look just as at home at a garden wedding or destination celebration as they would at an intimate lunch with friends. Because really, who says a regular day doesn’t deserve pretty things too?
A garden in full bloom
For Debbie, the collection is also deeply personal, bringing together two places that continue to shape the way she sees beauty.
“Jardin du Soleil is my way of bringing together two inspirations that have stayed with me over the years. My experience in London introduced me to the beauty of British tradition and craftsmanship, while coming home always reminds me of the warmth, color, and vibrancy of the tropics,” she shares. “I wanted to create a collection that feels timeless but approachable, where elegance isn’t about formality but about feeling confident and beautiful in every moment.”
That idea runs through every look. Vintage-inspired silhouettes are softened by breezier fabrics and relaxed proportions, while tropical florals lend a freshness that feels unmistakably at home in this part of the world. Rather than recreating tradition, Debbie gives it new life, striking a balance between structure and softness, nostalgia and modernity.
The result is a collection that celebrates dressing as an experience instead of simply an event, inviting women to embrace elegance not only for milestone moments but for the quieter ones in between.
Twenty-one years, countless milestones
The collection also arrives at a milestone of its own. This year, Atelier Debbie Co celebrates 21 years of dressing Filipinas for many of life’s most memorable occasions, from weddings and milestone birthdays to anniversaries and everything in between.
That longevity says as much about Debbie’s design philosophy as it does about her craftsmanship. Trends may come and go, but her aesthetic has always favored quiet confidence over fleeting statements, creating pieces women return to because they feel as good as they look.
It’s a philosophy shaped by experience. After graduating from De La Salle University Manila, Debbie pursued her passion for fashion at the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London, where she honed the sensibilities that continue to influence her work today. She has since designed for fashion retailers including The Ramp, Ishq and Souk, while also creating the ready-to-wear label After Eight.
Travel, art and architecture continue to inspire her collections, but so do the women she dresses. Whether creating a couture gown or an elegant ready-to-wear piece, Debbie approaches every design with meticulous attention to detail and an understanding that clothing is often woven into life’s most meaningful memories. It’s why her creations never seem to overwhelm the wearer. Instead, they let her shine.
Everyday elegance
Perhaps that’s what makes Jardin du Soleil feel so refreshing.
Yes, it’s romantic. Yes, it’s undeniably special. But beneath the lace, florals and sun-kissed palette is a collection rooted in real life. These are clothes designed to move effortlessly from one occasion to another, proving that elegance doesn’t have to be reserved for black-tie invitations or once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.
As Atelier Debbie Co begins its third decade, Jardin du Soleil feels less like a retrospective than a confident step forward, reaffirming the designer’s belief that beautiful clothes should be worn, enjoyed and lived in.
Fashion has always had the power to transport us somewhere else. With Jardin du Soleil, that somewhere happens to be an English garden basking in tropical sunshine, where dressing well feels less like an occasion and more like second nature. Debbie Co invites us into that world, creating clothes that bring a little extra joy to the everyday. And if that means reaching for the pretty dress just because you feel like it, well, I say accept that invitation. Go for it.
The collection is now available at Atelier Debbie Co at Proscenium at Rockwell, with a pop-up at PowerPlant Mall running through September 2026.
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