Did You Know That Benilde Has A Fashion Museum? And You Don’t Have To Be A Student To Intern There

If we're being honest, we've all had our fair share of fashionista moments growing up. Whether it was trying to recreate an outfit we saw online, saving fashion pegs we swore we'd wear one day, or becoming completely obsessed with a celebrity's style, fashion has always found a way into our lives.

And if The Devil Wears Prada happened to be one of your go-to chick flicks, then you're probably familiar with both the pressure and excitement that come with working in the fashion industry.

Beyond the glamorous outfits and runway moments is a whole world of people working behind the scenes to bring fashion to life. At De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, students can get a taste of that world through the Benilde Fashion Museum's (BFM) internship program, where fashion, history, and hands-on learning all come together.

The museum officially opened in 2024 after the late veteran Filipino designer Ben Ferrales donated 350 garments to the institution. Since then, the collection has continued to grow, with donations from various individuals and organizations helping expand its archives.

Today, the museum houses more than a thousand artifacts, including works by National Artists Ramon Valera and Salvacion Lim-Higgins. Other featured designers include Cesar Gaupo, Christian Espiritu, Aureo Alonzo, and Pitoy Moreno.

For fashion students, getting the chance to study these pieces up close is an opportunity that's hard to come by, especially since it's currently the first and only university-based fashion museum in the Philippines. While it's still relatively new, the team behind it has been busy building its collection, preserving garments, and creating programs that make fashion history more accessible to students and the public.

At the moment, the museum is located at Benilde's Design and Arts Campus in Manila. However, it is set to move into a larger space at the Mayflower Building, with plans to welcome the public by September 2026.

But even before its official public opening, BFM has already been active in organizing lectures, exhibits, and discussions that bring fashion history to life. Earlier this year, the museum hosted a three-part lecture series alongside the exhibition Magsaysay as Muse: Luz Banzon Magsaysay and the Terno as Cultural Identity. The final session featured a discussion titled Ramon Valera: The Evolution of the Terno as Cultural Icon, followed by a guided exhibit tour led by BFM Director Ar. Gerry Torres.

So while the museum may still be growing, it's already becoming a space where fashion, culture, and history meet!

Since last year, the Benilde Fashion Museum has been accepting interns and volunteers who want to gain hands-on experience in museum and fashion work. The opportunity is not exclusive to Benilde students either. The museum has also welcomed applicants from other universities, including graduate students pursuing their master's degrees.

Their most recent internship opening, announced in April, featured positions under Creative, Exhibit Design, Conservation, and Archiving. Applicants were required to submit a CV and portfolio, giving them the chance to showcase both their skills and creative interests. Of course, nobody expects interns to walk in as fashion experts. The whole point is to learn. But having an interest in clothing, fashion history, garment construction, or even basic sewing skills can definitely come in handy.

Beyond building your resume, it's also a chance to gain a deeper appreciation for the stories behind the clothes we wear. After all, fashion isn't just about looking good. It's also about culture, craftsmanship, identity, and preserving the pieces that help tell our story.