Esme Palaganas
Esme Palaganas works in the intersection of creativity, culture, and commerce. With expertise in business, design, creative thinking, and innovation, she examines the interplay between emerging technologies, industrial governance and the creative industries to transform human-centered design (HCD) interactions and business practices. As a strategy consultant she collaborates with clients across FMCG, wellness, fashion, apparel, and jewelry, specializing in business and financial strategy. She is also the co-founder of @phxfashiongroup, leading initiatives that elevate contemporary fashion brands.
Contact
Strategy & Venture Inquiries: team@ablankcd.com
Direct Inquiries: esme@esme.world
Professional History:
Pivot from Design to Industrial Policy, Technologies and Business
As a former designer, she has presented in shows and presentations in Malaysia and the Philippines, collaborated with brands such as Melissa and L’oreal, and distributed to stockists around the Philippines. Previously a venture builder of an e-commerce marketplace with a portfolio of over 20 brands, illustrators and designers, the business reached several regional and international markets such as Singapore, Japan, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Australia and the Philippines, Her advocacy work has garnered substantial publicity coverage and awards in the Philippines, US, Singapore and Japan as well as partnerships with Global Shapers and World Economic Forum, Art Fair Philippines, and Department of Trade and Industries. Her policy work involved working with the Philippine Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) in passing of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act. Her work involved leading a committee in revisiting existing laws to light such as the Philippine Tropical Fabric Law and acting as an industry representative in reviewing the Intellectual Property Code and other industrial policies concerning the Design, Textile and Creative industries.
She is currently exploring research between emerging technologies, business, intellectual property and the creative economy.
(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
De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (PH) for the AB in Fashion Design & Merchandising (with Honors) at
Academic Affiliations (Adjunct Professor)
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
Select Thought Leadership & Speaking Engagements
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
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
By-lines
Vogue Philippines articles on Culture, Creative Industries, Technology (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
