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MANILA, Philippines — In recent seasons of the fashion calendar, Melbourne and Manila have become more welcoming of each other’s creative forces.
At Season 6 of Manila International Fashion Week (MIFW) in November 2025, among the invited foreign talents was the Australian Grace Isybella Primus. In turn, she tapped Filipino fashion designer Jay-R Flores of Gawang Flores to showcase his collection at her “Lunch & Fashion X Charity” show, held on February 21, 2026 in Melbourne.
“Being invited to MIFW was an incredible honor, especially as it followed my participation in Mrs. Universe 2025 at Okada Manila. Representing as an international ambassador and introducing Australian models to the platform was both meaningful and rewarding,” said Primus. “It allowed me to experience a powerful cultural exchange, blending creative perspectives across countries. It is certainly a platform I hold close to my heart, and I look forward to future opportunities to be part of it again.”
Primus received the Emerging International Fashion Designer Award and was named MIFW Ambassador 2025, recognizing her growing presence in the international fashion industry, especially in Melbourne and Manila.
At her “Lunch & Fashion X Charity” show, she brought together culture, fashion and compassion in an inspiring afternoon celebrating creativity while supporting meaningful causes.
Produced by her own Global Influencers House, the event gathered designers, talents, community leaders, and supporters in an elegant setting where fashion became a platform for connection, collaboration, and giving back.
Fashion exchange
The curated runway featured designers from local Australian talents to internationally recognized creatives, reflecting the multicultural spirit shaping today’s fashion landscape. Among the highlights was A.nty Story, recently featured in “Tatler UK Magazine,” presenting refined and contemporary designs gaining international attention.
Adding cultural depth to the showcase was Gawang Flores, led by designer Jay-R Flores, who presented breathtaking modern ethnic designs inspired by the traditions of Mindanao. A special collaboration between OhayoSarah and MsBella also captivated audiences with a collection spanning cocktail wear, couture, and bridal creations.
Completing the runway presentation was Men’s Suit Warehouse, one of the largest fashion houses for men’s suits in Australia, showcasing modern tailoring and timeless masculine elegance.
“As the producer of ‘Lunch & Fashion X Charity,’ Global Influencers House continues to expand its role as a dynamic media and creative platform that brings together fashion, leadership, and philanthropy,” said Primus, its CEO. “Fashion is more than style. It is a powerful language of culture, collaboration and compassion where creativity meets purpose and influence becomes a force for positive change.”
“Lunch & Fashion X Charity” was a collaborative initiative created alongside fellow designers. The vision was to provide a platform to showcase their collections while simultaneously supporting meaningful philanthropic efforts.
It was important to Primus that fashion not only inspires, but also gives back to the community with purpose. She has the privilege of knowing many of the designers through previous fashion shows, and they have remained connected over time.
“What truly brought us together was our shared values. When I expressed my intention to host this event, everyone came forward with genuine support and unity. As for Jay-R from Gawang Flores, we briefly met during MIFW. After witnessing his showcase and the way he beautifully integrates cultural elements into his designs, I was inspired to invite him to be part of the event,” Primus shared.
She also publishes the “Global Influencers House Magazine," which is produced in two formats: a quarterly printed edition and a monthly digital edition accessible online. As it continues to grow its subscriber community, it is also expanding beyond editorial content into podcasts and webinar-based masterclasses, creating a more dynamic and engaging platform.
A Melburnian with a mixed Asian background (Indonesian-Singaporean-Malaysian), Primus is now spearheading a showcase of beauty on a global scale. She is setting a new chapter in international pageantry with the Global Universe Queens, an organization she is establishing.
“Alongside our ongoing editorial programs planned for the year, I am currently focusing on the debut of the Global Universe Queens Pageant, which is set to launch internationally next year,” said Primus. “It is a project close to my heart, designed to empower women globally and create meaningful connections through purpose and leadership.”
