Designing Dreams, Defying Limits
Chona Bacaoco
Chona Bacaoco is a Milan-based fashion designer, producer, and talent consultant whose work has graced the runways of Milan, Paris, and Dubai, and the red carpets of the Cannes Film Festival. As the founder of MM Milano the Brand and MM Milano Agency, she champions sustainability, inclusivity, and Filipino artistry on the world stage.
“I design my life the way I want it to be,” she says. “I always dream big—and I dream with purpose.” – Chona Bacaoco
From humble beginnings to haute couture—an Ilongga’s rise in the global fashion scene.
About Chona Bacaoco
Born in Iloilo City and raised in Guimaras, Chona grew up in a modest home where fashion was stitched into daily life—her mother was a seamstress, and Chona was helping bead dresses by age eight. Though she earned a commerce degree from Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, her heart led her to fashion. After stints in Hong Kong and eventually Italy, she launched her modeling agency in 2016 and her fashion brand in 2019.
Her early years in Milan were marked by rejection and exclusion—she didn’t have a formal fashion degree and was told she couldn’t be a designer. But Chona’s dreams were bigger than her fears. She persisted, building a brand that now dresses celebrities, produces international shows, and advocates for underrepresented talent.
Chona’s creations are known for their emotional depth, sustainable materials, and inclusive silhouettes. She uses deadstock fabric, certified organic cotton, and Philippine fibers like hablon, often incorporating vintage buttons and upcycled elements. Her designs are tailored to the wearer’s personality, mood, and story—each piece carrying the “Chona touch.”
She’s also a fierce advocate for diversity. Her runway shows feature models of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds—including an 83-year-old man and plus-sized talents—challenging the superficial norms of fashion.
Cannes Breakthrough: Dressing Gucci’s Heiress
In 2023, Chona dressed Drusilla Gucci, great-granddaughter of Guccio Gucci, for the 76th Cannes Film Festival—alongside other celebrities like Sofia Giaele de Dona, Mila Suarez, and Selvaggia Roma. With only three days to complete the gown, Chona insisted on doing the fittings herself, forging a personal connection that sealed the deal. The dress, made with antique buttons and Italian lace, was a triumph of craftsmanship and heart.
Beyond Fashion: Empowerment and Representation
Through MM Milano Agency, Chona mentors aspiring talents who lack financial resources, helping them break into the industry. Her work with Netflix, Italian brands, and global fashion weeks reflects her commitment to representation and cultural storytelling.
“I design my life the way I want it to be,” she says. “I always dream big—and I dream with purpose.”
Connect with Chona Bacaoco
Follow Chona Bacaoco on her journey and explore her latest designs:
Chona Bacaoco
MM Milano
at New York Fashion Week
Chona Bacaoco is a Milan-based Filipino designer and the powerhouse behind MM Milano, a fashion brand known for its bold elegance and sustainability. She’s dressed celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival—including Gucci heiress Drusilla Gucci—and has shown collections at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks.
Chona’s designs often feature upcycled materials, Philippine textiles like hablon, and vintage elements, blending heritage with high fashion. Despite not having a formal fashion degree, she built her career from the ground up, driven by grit, creativity, and her roots in Guimaras.
She’s not just making clothes—she’s making space for Filipino talent on the global stage.
