Esme Palaganas
With expertise in strategy and design thinking, Esme explores the intersections of creative IP management and the evolving language of creative futures.
In her fashion practice, she advises brands and supports fund building on strategy and business development through A BLANK CD, and co-founded PHx Fashion Group—an initiative championing contemporary Filipino labels through retail activations and incubation programs. Her policy work includes serving as Policy Chair of a national industry organization, which deepened her interest in creative ecosystem governance and intellectual property. She also sits on several boards and committees advancing creative ecosystem development in the Philippines and the UK.
In her innovation practice, she served as Design Thinking Specialist and Innovation Consultant for a national government agency’s digitalization efforts, developed curricula in design and business universities, and taught creative and design thinking at Ateneo de Manila University and University College London. She is set to pursue a PhD on Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence through a Bayes Studentship at City, University of London.
Contact
Writing: esme@esme.world
Consulting: 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 on Culture, Creative Industries and Policy
The Philippines Star – Technology on 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 of its ASEAN Cohort
Centre for Creativity and Professional Practice – London, External Board Advisor
Philippine Fashion Coalition, Founding Board and lead of Policy and Planning Committee
Philippine Textile Research Institute, Member of the Technical Committee on Textiles
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
