INFO
| Name | Dennis Sayat (he/him) |
| Country of Birth | Philippines |
| Place of Residence | Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland |
| Ethnicities | Filipino |
| Artform | Fashion |
| Decades Active | 2010s, 2020s |
ABOUT
Dennis Sayat is a fashion designer who creates form-flattering hand-embellished garments under the label SAYAT, which operates in both Aotearoa and the Philippines. Sayat's craftsmanship and keen eye for detail were honed through years of working with some of the Philippines' most prominent fashion designers, and he has created eye-catching, one-of-a-kind garments for pageants and cultural festivals, something that is considered a privilege reserved for prominent Filipino fashion designers.
In an interview with Satellites, Sayat shared:
I enjoy the creative and technical process of tailoring garments that flatter the person wearing it – regardless of size or body type. I love seeing my client's face light up when we're fitting the garment. When they're feeling themselves is when I know I've done a good job. [translated from Tagalog]
In 2000, Sayat graduated from Slim's Fashion and Arts School in Makati, Philippines, with a Certificate in Dressmaking and Fashion Design. His graduate collection earned him apprenticeships with renowned fashion designers such as Renee Salud, Jean Goulbourn and Ramon Favilla. That same year, Sayat established his own atelier in Quezon Province, Philippines. The atelier employed a team of three machinists, two men’s tailors, a pattern maker, and five to seven beaders. Sayat quickly built a loyal clientele and gained a reputation for crafting well tailored opulent gowns. These designs often debuted in pageants and cultural festivals like Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) and Santa Cruzan.
In 2007, Sayat visited his brother in Tāmaki Makaurau, who encouraged him to move to Aotearoa. The following year, Sayat enrolled at New Zealand Fashion Tech (now part of Whitecliffe College) and graduated with a Diploma in Fashion Design and a Certificate in Pattern Making. Speaking on the Barangay NZ podcast, Sayat reflected on his migration experience:
I had years of running a successful and lucrative fashion label in the Philippines, employing a number of people, but New Zealand immigration deemed all my qualifications null. Only fashion designers from Western countries get the privilege of having their experience recognised in this country. I lost my confidence during my first few years here. No one would hire me because I didn't have 'Kiwi experience' and I was forced to enrol in school to build myself back up again. [translated from Tagalog]
In 2021, Sayat was part of Mahiwagang Chorvalyn (Magical Ephemera) the closing event for SYOKES, a group exhibition with queer Filipino artists Marc Conaco and Louie Bretaña at Objectspace. Reflecting on this collaboration in an interview for Satellites, Sayat remarked:
Collaborating with queer Filipino artists for an exhibition was a novel experience for me. It was a joy to lean into the experimental, which pushed me to create something camp and theatrical. It felt more like costume design than my usual haute couture projects, and I had so much fun. [translated from Tagalog]
When asked about his current fashion design practice, Sayat shared:
Over time, I’ve learned to refine my work and further hone my eye by studying the history of fashion. In the past, I had a 'more is more' mindset in my designs, but now I carefully consider the practicality of each piece. I’m not interested in chasing trends; instead, I aim to satisfy my clients with timeless pieces they can treasure and wear forever—always with a fabulous SAYAT twist, of course. [translated from Tagalog]
LINKS
Key works / presentations
2025 – Ang Sininang Bulawan (The Golden Dress), Studio One Toi Tū, Tāmaki Makaurau
2024 – Flores de Mayo 2024, Lucena City, Philippines
2023 – Miss Philippines NZ Pageant (National Costume for Katharina Weischede), Rotorua
2023 – Las Flores de Manila, Manila, Philippines
2022 – Filipiniana, Fashion Designer Association of the Philippines, Quezon Province Philippines
2021 – Mahiwagang Chorvalyn (Magical Ephemera), Objectspace, Tāmaki Makaurau
2019 – Winford Ever After, Winford Manila Resort, Philippines
2019 – Miss Intercontinental, Manila Philippines
2019 – Kasalan at Kotilyon, FDAP Quezon Province, Philippines
2018 – Haute Couture, Murdoch McLennan Antiques, Tāmaki Makaurau
2018 – The Year of Yes (short film; costume designer)
2018 – Flores de Mayo 2018, Quezon Province, Philippines
2017 – Niyogyugan Festival, Quezon Province, Philippines
2017 – Santa Cruzan, Quezon Province, Philippines
Key awards
2024 – Fashion Designer of the Year, Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards
2023 – Best Fashion Designer, Las Flores De Manila, Philippines
