Esme Palaganas
With expertise in strategy and design thinking, Esme is currently exploring the interplay between emerging technologies, creative intellectual property management, and the evolving language of creative futures.
For her fashion practice, she advises businesses in brand strategy and business development. She is also the co-founder of @PHxFashionGroup, an initiative dedicated to elevating contemporary Filipino brands through retail activations and incubation programs. Her policy work includes serving as Policy Chair of a national industry organization in congressional and senate hearings for the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act—an experience that solidified her interest to bridging creative practice, ecosystem governance, and innovation.
Contact
Direct Inquiries, Writing: esme@esme.world
Advisory, Consulting Projects: team@ablankcd.com(Ma
Education
City University of London – Bayes Business School (UK) for the Masters in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership
De La Salle University Manila (PH) for the Masters in Entrepreneurship Studies, Thesis Pending
De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (PH) for the AB in Fashion Design & Merchandising (with Honors)
By-lines
Vogue Philippines articles on Technology and Culture (Web3 & Artificial Intelligence)
The Philippines Star – Lifestyle articles on Culture, Creative Industries and Policy
The Philippines Star – Technology on Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Creative Digital Innovations
Academic Affiliations
De La Salle University – Manila under the Faculty of College of Business
De La Salle – College of St Benilde under Faculty for Creative Industries Management
SOFA Design Institute under the Entrepreneurship Track
Professional Associations
Salzburg Global Seminar, Arts and Artificial Intelligence Fellow under the Culture, Arts and Society Program
UNCTAD eTrade for Women, Member under the ASEAN Cohort
Centre for Creativity and Professional Practice – London, External Board Advisor
Philippine Fashion Coalition, Founding Board and lead of Policy and Planning
Fashion Design Council of the Philippines, Council Member for Special Projects
Select Speaking Engagements and Presentations
Asia Society on Artificial Intelligence and Creativity
British Council and the Department of Trade and Industries on Creative Economy and Technology
Department of Trade and Industries on Artificial Intelligence and the Creative Industries
Global Women’s Inventors and Innovation Conference London on Digital Assets and NFTs in ASEAN
The Courtauld Research Forum London on Rethinking Design and Creative Ecologies
The Design Center of the Philippines on Double Edged Design
University College London on Entrepreneurship and Policy Participation
University College London on Creativity, Prosperity and Policy
Philippine Star Technology’s AI Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Creatives
