Rooted in a shared commitment to artistry and enduring quality, the collaboration reflects on heritage not as something fixed in time, but as something continually reinterpreted through contemporary expression.

Celebrated for his sculptural silhouettes and refined mastery of form, Espina lends a new perspective to B&B Italia Manila’s annual Heritage Campaign. Drawing from traditional materials such as piña, callado, and jusi, alongside the vibrant visual language of Filipino fiestas, he creates pieces that honor tradition while embracing innovation.

Espina brings together international sensibilities and a deep appreciation for Filipino identity. His creations, paired with B&B Italia’s iconic furnishings, present a vision where timeless interiors and contemporary couture converge in a shared expression of artistry.

The Serie Up 2000, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969, was conceived as a powerful commentary on the condition of women in society. The chair’s form references the female figure, while the attached ottoman symbolizes the constraints and limitations historically imposed upon women.

Jor-el Espina beautifully responds with a couture piece that celebrates femininity through pearls, and intricate pleating. This speaks to the evolution of women’s roles today: no longer bound by societal expectations, but actively reclaiming agency, autonomy, and power.

Le Bambole and Espina’s couture share a dialogue between softness and structure. Bellini’s sculptural armchair meets Espina’s metallic bodice and woven textiles in a celebration of craftsmanship and form.

Their pairing also recalls a landmark in Italian design. When Le Bambole debuted in 1972, B&B Italia commissioned Oliviero Toscani for a radical campaign. Model Donna Jordan reclined topless on the sofa, echoing its curves and challenging furniture advertising.

The image redefined how furniture could be presented through the language of fashion, freedom, and desire. It was later censored after controversy at the Salone del Mobile.

Do-Maru is defined by simplicity—its clean silhouette and restrained form inspired by the Japanese dō-maru armor. Rather than echoing its shape, Espina responds by introducing richly patterned textiles, delicate embroidery, and warm, earthy tones that bring softness and depth to the composition.

Inspired by the organic silhouette of the Japanese edamame bean, Piero Lissoni’s Eda-Mame celebrates fluidity through its soft, sculptural form. Espina complements this natural movement with layered embroidery, flowing drapery, and a palette of deep greens and warm neutrals that recalls the richness of the landscape.

Tufty-Time 20 is Patricia Urquiola’s contemporary reinterpretation of her iconic modular sofa, celebrated for its generous proportions, quilted construction, and sculptural flexibility. 

Inspired by these defining qualities, Espina created a couture piece that echoes the sofa’s plush volume, rhythmic tufting, and enveloping softness. Through layered fabrics and bold silhouettes, his designs reinterpret the language of upholstery in the form of fashion.

The Alanda ’18 is celebrated for its sculptural base of intersecting metal lines that recalls a series of inverted pyramids—a geodetic structure that feels at once architectural and almost celestial in its presence. In response, Espina draws inspiration from a familiar sight in the home: a vase of flowers resting atop a table.

Delicate blooms crafted from piña emerge from the couture piece, introducing softness, movement, and texture in contrast to the table’s structured silhouette.

The Almora chair is celebrated for its protective shell of overlapping padded layers that recalls the ridges of snowy peaks—a majestic framework that feels at once commanding and almost cocooning in its presence. In response, Espina draws inspiration from a cozy refuge in the mountains: a warm woven blanket resting inside a shelter. Soft, tactile fabrics beautifully draped emerge from the couture piece, introducing warmth, fluidity, and comfort in contrast to the frame’s rigid silhouette.

Inspired by the open wings of a butterfly, Naoto Fukasawa’s Grande Papilio is defined by a fluid silhouette that gently embraces the sitter. Its soft, sculptural form finds a natural counterpart in Espina’s couture as it expresses a quiet elegance and understated form.

The pairing of Narinari by Tiziano Guardini and Luigi Ciuffreda and Espina’s couture celebrates a shared pursuit of elegance through restraint. Defined by its folded, origami-like silhouette, the armchair is complemented by a garment rich in embroidered textures, feathered details, and sculptural tailoring.